Question

Aslamo aleikum

The question is: do we qualify to take up a new mortgage for a new home under the fatwa issued on mortgage for ONE house from the European council for
fatwa and research?

The background is that we live in Norway and we own a house (apartment/ flat) of about 76 Square meter equivalent to 820 Square feet. Two third of the
mortgage of the current house is paid of. We have 3 children. We think the house is too small for us. We are thus thinking of selling this one and taking up a new mortgage to buy
a bigger (separate) new house. As per the fatwa it is allowed to buy/own ONE house with a bank mortgage. At the same time we don’t wish to wage a war against Allah swt, as it is
stated in the holy Quran, about ribaah So do we qualify under this fatwa to do this? Shall we go ahead with our plan? We are supposed to “ask ahlul zikr, if we do not understand ” (holy Quran)

Looking forward to your opinion

Jazakallah

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Inspirer of Truth

I commend your sincerity in seeking the opinion of the people of knowledge, as well as your trepidation in entering an interest-based transaction. May Allah reward you and grant you ease in your endeavours.

It is our position that a conventional interest-based mortgage is unlawful, be that one’s first house or second. We do not agree with the view that one’s first house is permitted through an interest-based mortgage, due to neccesity.

And Allah knows best

﴿قَالُوۤا۟ إِنَّمَا ‌ٱلۡبَیۡعُ مِثۡلُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ۗ وَأَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ‌ٱلۡبَیۡعَ وَحَرَّمَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ۚ ﴾ [البقرة: 275]

﴿یَٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُوا۟ مَا بَقِیَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰۤا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِینَ ۝٢٧٨ فَإِن لَّمۡ تَفۡعَلُوا۟ فَأۡذَنُوا۟ ‌بِحَرۡبࣲ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦۖ﴾ [البقرة: 278-279]

«تبيين الحقائق شرح كنز الدقائق وحاشية الشلبي» (6/ 29): قَالَ الْكَرْخِيُّ فِي مُخْتَصَرِهِ فِي كِتَابِ الصَّرْفِ وَكُلُّ قَرْضٍ جَرَّ مَنْفَعَةً لَا يَجُوزُ مِثْلَ أَنْ يُقْرِضَ دَرَاهِمَ غَلَّةٍ عَلَى أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ صِحَاحًا أَوْ يُقْرِضَ قَرْضًا عَلَى أَنْ يَبِيعَ بِهِ بَيْعًا؛ لِأَنَّهُ رُوِيَ أَنَّ ‌كُلَّ ‌قَرْضٍ جَرَّ مَنْفَعَةً فَهُوَ رِبًا، وَتَأْوِيلُ هَذَا عِنْدَنَا أَنْ تَكُونَ الْمَنْفَعَةُ مُوجِبَةً بِعَقْدِ الْقَرْضِ مَشْرُوطَةً فِيهِ»

Answered by:
Maulana Ikramul Hoque Miah

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel