We are a group of foreign Muslims living in Germany. We have a place which we rent for the daily prayers, Jumu’ah and Eid. But because there are so many people praying there – praise be to Allaah – the German government will no longer allow us to pray there, because the place is too small and is a place that is not suitable. Now we want to buy a big place outside the city, and the German authorities have agreed that we may buy it. The place costs 3.5 million deutschmarks, and we have only 1.5 million deutschmarks. Is it permissible for us to take out a loan from the bank to cover the outstanding amount and buy this place with ribaa (interest)? Is this considered to be a necessity? If we buy it with ribaa, is it permissible to pray in it until we have other places in the city to pray in? Please advise us, may Allaah reward you.
Ruling on buying a mosque with an interest-based loan
Question: 10234
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.
It is not permissible for you to take out a loan with ribaa (interest), because Allaah has prohibited ribaa and has issued the strongest warning to those who deal in it. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who consumes ribaa, the one who gives it, the two who witness it and the one who writes it down. Ribaa is not permitted under any circumstances whatsoever. Do not buy the place to which you refer unless you have the financial resources to buy it without resorting to ribaa. Pray as best you can, all together or separated into a number of groups in different places.
And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
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Source:
Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas, 13/290
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