Ruling on Praying Behind an Imam Who Considers Interest (Ribā) Permissible
Source: Fatāwā Rashidiyyah, p. 470
❖ Question:
A person declares interest (ribā) to be permissible (as discussed in the previous question). Can prayer be performed behind such a person or not?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
It must be clearly understood that the prohibition of ribā is established with certainty and is agreed upon by ijmā‘ (consensus).
◈ Therefore, whoever deliberately considers ribā to be halāl and permissible in all circumstances is undoubtedly a disbeliever (kāfir).
- And since he is outside the fold of Islam, it is obvious that prayer behind such a person is not valid.
❖ Clarification Regarding Necessity (Ḍarūrah)
- If, however, a person considers ribā permissible only in a case of dire necessity, then prayer behind him is valid.
- This is because he does not regard ribā to be permissible under all conditions, but only in a state of compulsion.
- As explained earlier, ribā may be excused in extreme necessity, since necessity is exempted from the general ruling.
- Hence, such a person cannot be declared kāfir.
Provided that he holds sound belief (‘aqīdah), prayer behind him is correct, and this issue does not disqualify him from being an imam.
Conclusion:- If someone declares ribā halāl in all cases → he is a kāfir, and prayer behind him is invalid.
- If he permits ribā only under necessity → he remains a Muslim, and prayer behind him is valid.
