Shar‘i Ruling on Relations and Accepting Invitations from Interest-Based Businessmen

Ruling on Relations and Accepting Invitations from Those Engaged in Interest-Based Business


Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah (Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām), Vol. 2, p. 217

Question:​

What is the Sharʿī ruling on maintaining relations, doing business, and accepting invitations from individuals involved in interest-based dealings?

Answer:​

Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!


◈ A person involved in interest-based transactions is considered fāsiq (open sinner) and fājir (immoral).

If the intention is worldly benefit:​

➊ Maintaining relations,
➋ Doing business, and
➌ Accepting invitations from such a person may be avoided.

If there is hope of religious benefit:​

➊ Maintaining relations,
➋ Doing business, and
➌ Accepting invitations is permissible.

Sharʿī Proof for Accepting Invitations:​

• Aḥādīth mention that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ accepted invitations from Jews.
• It is well-known that interest-based transactions were a distinctive practice of the Jews.
• Nevertheless, the ḥalāl food of the Jews is declared permissible for Muslims by explicit Qur’ānic text.

Reference:​

In Muṣannaf ʿAbd al-Razzāq this is mentioned:

• Vol. 8, p. 151, Ḥadīth No. 14681
• Under: Qawl al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī – Bāb: Ṭaʿām al-Umarāʾ wa Akil al-Ribā wa Ghayrihā

Important Note:​

If it is certainly known that:
➊ The food is prepared purely from interest-based wealth, or
➋ It has been purchased entirely with such wealth,


then one should not eat that food.


ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب