Father deeply in debt using credit cards to buy his mother a house

13-4-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

My father borrowed money from various credit cards, because he had to purchase a house for his mother in Pakistan, since she is alone there with her disabled daughter. Now he has so much to pay back with the finance charges. My father asked a lot of his friends for some amount of money until he could pay the debt back, but every one refused. I also attend college and don't have any time to make money. What is the best solution?

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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. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

It is forbidden to borrow money with interest unless in the case of absolute necessity that can only be fulfilled by borrowing with interest, such as one lacks food to eat, or shelter to dwell even by renting it; in such a case it is permissible for him to get a loan with interest. Allaah says (which means): {But if one is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience or transgressing due limits, then there is no sin on him.}[Qur'an 2:173]. But if there is no necessity and one borrows with interest, then he has to repent sincerely to Allaah while repaying the capital money only and getting rid of this loan with interest. In case this is not possible and your father cannot find any alternative for repaying the debts and the interest, then we hope that he is not held accountable after sincerely repenting. Allaah says (which means): {Allaah puts no burden on any person beyond what He has given him…}[Qur'an 65: 7].

Allaah knows best.