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Fatwa CenterUncle paying his niece's education from Riba
Question
My younger sister who is a very pious lady (al-Hamdu Lillah) would like to take higher education in Europe and since we cannot afford the tuition fee our uncle agrees to pay for it. We understand that the money he will pay is the one he is receiving as interest in foreign banks. Is it Halal for my sister to take this education from this interest money although she has enough earnings to take a good online course?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
It is not permitted for your sister to study with the money of Riba (interest and/or usury) because it is forbidden to benefit from Riba except when a person is in necessity. Allaah Says (what means): {O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah and give up what remains (due to you) from Riba (usury) (from now onward), if you are (really) believers. And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allaah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums).}[Quran 2:278-279]
However, there is no necessity in this present case. Your sister has money to pay for her education, so it is forbidden for her to take any of this Riba money for this purpose.
Moreover, studying in European universities leads in general to many prohibitions, such as living in a non-Muslim country. The Prophet said: "I am exempt from any Muslim who lives among the polytheists." [Abu Dawood and At-Tirmithi]. Studying there also leads to mixing with non-Mahram men, traveling without being accompanied by a Mahram and other prohibited matters. Furthermore, studying in a non-Muslim country involves many dangerous disadvantages on the religion and honour of the person which could not be paralled to the benefit of studying there. Therefore, the students and their guardians should be careful of this.
Allaah Knows best.
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