Answer by: Fadhīlat al-ʿĀlim Ikrāmullāh Wāḥidī (ḥafiẓahullāh)
If I give someone 200,000 rupees for one month and they return 300,000 rupees, what is the ruling on the extra 100,000? If I use this money to purchase gold or home furniture, does that also fall under interest (ribā)? Because ribā is associated with consuming money, and here we are not consuming it. Furthermore, if I give it in charity and repent, will my repentance be accepted?
Giving 200,000 rupees as a loan and receiving 300,000 in return is clearly ribā in Islamic law, as the extra 100,000 rupees is an unlawful gain over the principal.
➊ Taking ribā is akin to consuming it:
Though currency is not directly “eaten,” it is the medium through which food, goods, and all needs are fulfilled. Hence, any benefit derived from it is considered as using ribā.
➋ Use of ḥarām wealth:
Using this money to buy gold, furniture, or any other item also falls under the use of unlawful wealth, since the source is impermissible.
Committing a sin deliberately while intending to repent later is not the correct attitude.
➊ Acceptance of repentance:
Allah does indeed accept repentance, but one must not persist in sin or assume that they will live long enough to repent later.
➋ Lack of guarantee:
There is no certainty in life, and persisting in a grave sin like ribā is extremely dangerous for both this life and the Hereafter.
✔ Only take back the original loan amount—200,000 rupees. Avoid taking any additional sum.
✔ Restrict your needs, and remain content with ḥalāl income. Ribā destroys both wealth and the Hereafter.
✔ If you have already fallen into this sin, repent sincerely, give up ribā completely, and make a firm resolve never to return to it.
✔ Both taking and consuming ribā are ḥarām.
✔ Avoid luxuries that tempt you toward unlawful income.
✔ Repent with sincerity, and do not knowingly persist in sin.
✔ Fulfill your needs through pure, ḥalāl means, and stay far from ribā in all its forms.
❖ Question:
If I give someone 200,000 rupees for one month and they return 300,000 rupees, what is the ruling on the extra 100,000? If I use this money to purchase gold or home furniture, does that also fall under interest (ribā)? Because ribā is associated with consuming money, and here we are not consuming it. Furthermore, if I give it in charity and repent, will my repentance be accepted?
❖ Ruling on Ribā (Interest):
Giving 200,000 rupees as a loan and receiving 300,000 in return is clearly ribā in Islamic law, as the extra 100,000 rupees is an unlawful gain over the principal.
➊ Taking ribā is akin to consuming it:
Though currency is not directly “eaten,” it is the medium through which food, goods, and all needs are fulfilled. Hence, any benefit derived from it is considered as using ribā.
➋ Use of ḥarām wealth:
Using this money to buy gold, furniture, or any other item also falls under the use of unlawful wealth, since the source is impermissible.
❖ Repentance Alongside Sin:
Committing a sin deliberately while intending to repent later is not the correct attitude.
➊ Acceptance of repentance:
Allah does indeed accept repentance, but one must not persist in sin or assume that they will live long enough to repent later.
➋ Lack of guarantee:
There is no certainty in life, and persisting in a grave sin like ribā is extremely dangerous for both this life and the Hereafter.
❖ Practical Advice:
✔ Only take back the original loan amount—200,000 rupees. Avoid taking any additional sum.
✔ Restrict your needs, and remain content with ḥalāl income. Ribā destroys both wealth and the Hereafter.
✔ If you have already fallen into this sin, repent sincerely, give up ribā completely, and make a firm resolve never to return to it.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ Both taking and consuming ribā are ḥarām.
✔ Avoid luxuries that tempt you toward unlawful income.
✔ Repent with sincerity, and do not knowingly persist in sin.
✔ Fulfill your needs through pure, ḥalāl means, and stay far from ribā in all its forms.
