# Is bank interest the riba that the Quran forbids?

*Chat questions on banking, mosques funded by loans, and Mufti Abu Layth's view of riba*

- URL: https://muftiabulayth.org/r/wce73zqci_i/s/35/
- Date: 2020-07-10 · Kind: question · Transcript tier: machine · Recording: Shaykh Omar Baloch | Cynicism, Consumerism & the Catch 22 of Riba | Mindtrap with Mufti #30 (2:19:01–2:22:12)
- Status: general teaching
- Watch from the start of the segment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCe73zqCi_I&t=8341s
- Recording page: https://muftiabulayth.org/r/wce73zqci_i/

**Topics:** Riba, mortgages and loans

**Question as asked:** I didn't catch what your view on riba is.

**Summary (not a quotation; machine-made, unchecked):** Mufti Abu Layth's view: the riba of the Quran means loan sharking, not interest-based bank loans, though banks are not philanthropists.

## Longer summary

Mufti Abu Layth opens the floor to questions. One chat comment says that, halal or not, Western financial institutions are unsustainable and often bailed out; Mufti says he is not defending institutions but feels the critique juxtaposes reality with a fantasy. Another asks how mosques can be reconciled with relying on donations from business owners who have mostly taken bank loans, and the guest says riba is about the system, not individuals who have to live their lives, which Mufti accepts. After thanking supporters and reading a super chat that says consumerism and hypersexuality will destroy the West more than any invasion, Mufti answers a viewer who missed his view on riba: in his view the riba of the Quran does not refer to interest-based loans but to loan sharking in its extreme sense, which does not make banks philanthropists. Mufti adds that the guest would feel that it does apply, which was the whole dialogue.

## Sources and names cited

- Shaykh Omar Baloch
- riba

## Transcript (machine tier, 2:19:01–2:22:12)

[2:18:21] the Ottomans he called it this is all imperialism and when Pakistan was being made he said maybe we have a chance to remove the stains of Arab imperialism that that I mean not much luck with that right now this is home and a phenomenon going on yeah but okay I mean it's me chef shall we take some quick questions I know we've been ok we've been going on quite a while I know you are time restricted as well share and right

[2:19:01] people if you've got any questions feel free to fire away a ma hain I'll just read out some what Superman you do in it shukran shukran Restylane Raistlin you're doing it as always mine he said whether or not it's halal western financial institutions are not sustainable and are often bailed out I mean I I would as I said in the beginning I agree this is not about to me about in defense of certain institutions it's rather saying I feel that the what is critiqued is juxtaposed with a bit of a fantasy as opposed to a reality that's

[2:19:37] all sarlaac 50 stars you do in it most massages rely on donations from business owners and most business owners have taken bank loans how could that then we ever reconciled I don't know if there's a comment on that that most machines rely on people who rely on loans I'm not I'm just my position is clear for me the whole River thing is not about an individual person it's about the system the individuals have to live their life of course so what are they gonna do of course of course I agree

[2:20:15] I said that's good for having that work but the reality is you're a nice guy you're a nice guy you got that much nice [Laughter] no I meant we're saying that - I wasn't saying you - you I was saying as - in the into an invisible person I was saying like oh you've got taqwa that was obviously you have I was saying it's my sense of humor here right so silac has said oh we just read Salix thing out Riesling much love to the guests and to

[2:20:55] move this out shukran right back at you Zacky a super chat shukran for your super chair I'm a black river from the US Islam saved my life consumerism and hyper sexuality will destroy the West more than any invasion may Allah keep us safe I mean I mean a comment on that thought sure I mean I mean Claire Jones you do in it with the with the stars Saleh has says has supported for months see now I can see all of these now because I've integrated them into the software to last us today

[2:21:35] somebody said Mufti I didn't catch or your view on RIBA is well I've got a whole video on YouTube my view in essence is the Reaper of the Quran does not refer to interest based loans it's more speaking about lone chakra which is extortionate in the true extreme meaning of what even what loan sharks means today so it's specific to loan sharks and not to this kind of a banking system that's not to say the banking system is a nice thing as in their pleasant people and philanthropies they're not but I'm just saying the rebuffed the Quran in my view doesn't apply to that that's all I feel

## Cite

Mufti Abu Layth Archive, segment wCe73zqCi_I/s/35. https://muftiabulayth.org/r/wce73zqci_i/s/35/

Not a fatwa: these answers were given to specific people at specific times. Ask a qualified scholar about your own situation.