Muslim Flow is in testing and coming soon to Google Play. Download

Scholars differ Money & business

Can a Muslim take a conventional mortgage?

Short answer

Most scholars say an interest-based mortgage is haram because it involves riba, which the Quran forbids (2:275, 2:278). Some contemporary scholars and councils allowed it in non-Muslim countries when a person has no other way to get a home, treating it as a case of need. Others reject this. Look first for an interest-free alternative such as a Sharia-compliant home finance plan, and ask a scholar about your situation.

Evidence

Quran

ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ ٱلَّذِى يَتَخَبَّطُهُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ مِنَ ٱلْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ ۗ وَأَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ ۚ فَمَن جَآءَهُۥ مَوْعِظَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ فَٱنتَهَىٰ فَلَهُۥ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ ﴿٢٧٥﴾

Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, "Trade is [just] like interest." But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُوا۟ مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٧٨﴾

O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.

This is general information, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.

Questions about halal and haram

Can a Muslim take a conventional mortgage?

Most scholars say an interest-based mortgage is haram because it involves riba, which the Quran forbids (2:275, 2:278). Some contemporary scholars and councils allowed it in non-Muslim countries when a person has no other way to get a home, treating it as a case of need. Others reject this. Look first for an interest-free alternative such as a Sharia-compliant home finance plan, and ask a scholar about your situation.

WhatsApp