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Fatwa CenterStudent with Family Wants to Take Educational Loan
Question
I am a Muslim living in North America and I fear Allah. I am mechanical engineer but I can't find a job right now and I am receiving financial aid from the goverment of Canada.My question is can I get a loan from the goverment through the bank to take a master degree in engineering? I have my wife and three kids.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Dear brother,
May Allah bless you and increase your desire to do good acts.
Know that Allah has forbidden Riba (usury/interest) and threatened whoever gets involved in Riba of very severe punishment; He does not threaten of inflicting such a punishment for committing any other sins.
Allah Says (what means):
• {O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. * And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.} [Quran 2:278-279]
• {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.} [Quran 2: 275]
Improving skills or getting a higher educational certificate could not be a reason to commit such a major sin, since dealing with Riba is among the seven major destructive sins as narrated in Saheeh Muslim.
You should fear Allah, be patient, and become content with the lawful help till Allah relieves your problems.
Allah Says (what means): {And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.} [Quran 65:2-3]
For more benefit on the prohibition of borrowing money with Riba, please refer to Fataawa 404938, 402904, 100833, 379279, and 136065.
Allah knows best.
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