What Can We Do to Get Rid of an Interest based-Loan on a House?


Hanafi Fiqh

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I’m really sick of this riba-based loan I got into for our house under family pressure. I have faced so many trials after this sin, and I have confessed to Allah about this and hate this sin. I’m unable to get rid of it on my own. It’s been one year, and I’m continuing tawba, but I feel so depressed that I’m unable to get out of it.

I know Allah is forgiving and gentle, but I’m worried and want to get out of this right now; I can’t live under this burden for another day. Please help me.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question about repaying your loan and seeking a solution.

Scholars advise those who have been contractually obliged with the bank for a few years to prioritize everything to repay their mortgage with overpayments and lump sum from one’s wage and possibly taking out private loans if possible.

Also, continue to repent and seek forgiveness for committing to this interest-bearing contract, pray two rak’at of Prayer of Need, and continue to pray to Allah Most High to facilitate ease. It has happened; don’t overburden yourself with worries.

Private Loans from Family and Friends

If you have a big family and group of friends, take out small long-term loans and purchase the house in full if it is possible for you. After that, you will pay everyone you owe over time. By pooling money together, many families and friends can help each other acquire a house this way.

Allah Most High, make it easy for you to repay your outstanding loan and find ways to repay it as soon as possible, amin.

Related:

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.