Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 139
Undated 139 How to Safeguard Oneself against Taking and Giving Interest This person asked, ‘What can we do if we are forced to accept a loan with interest?’ The Promised Messiah as said: The one who trusts Allah is helped from the Unseen by Him and He makes some way out for him. It is a pity that people do not understand this secret that for a righteous person God Almighty never permits such a situation to arise where he is forced to take an interest-bearing loan. Remember, as there are other sins, such as adultery or theft, so is the taking and giving of interest. How great is this loss that one loses money, honour, and faith! In everyday life there is nothing on which you have to spend such large sums of money as would necessitate the taking of an interest-bearing loan. Take the example of marriage. There is no expense involved in this. Both sides agree and accept and the nikah [Islamic marriage] takes place. After this the walimah [a feast by the bridegroom] is a practice of the Holy Prophet s as , but if one does not have the means, he is excused. Thus, if one practices an austere lifestyle, he would not suffer any loss. It is a matter of great pity that for their selfish desires and temporary enjoyment, people displease God Almighty, which results in their destruction. Consider how grave a sin interest is. The eating of a pig is allowed in a situation of distress. Thus, Allah says in the Holy Quran: 1 ِنَمَف َّرُطْضا َرْيَغ ٍغاَب َّو اَل ٍداَع ۤاَلَف َمْثِا ِهْيَلَع١ؕ َّنِا َهّٰللا ٌرْوُفَغ ٌمْيِحَّر ِنَمَف َّرُطْضا َرْيَغ ٍغاَب َّو اَل ٍداَع ۤاَلَف َمْثِا ِهْيَلَع١ؕ َّنِا َهّٰللا ٌرْوُفَغ ٌمْيِحَّر 1. S u rah al-Baqarah, 2:174 [Publisher]