Receiving a salary by overdrawing in case it is delayed

9-5-2011 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am an employee in the government sector and have a bank account from which I receive my salary. Sometimes, I am forced to receive it by overdrawing, due to the salary being delayed. Please advise us in this respect.

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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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

The questioner did not clarify whether or not what is taken from his salary is more than what is given to him. If what is paid to him is less than what is taken from him, it is unlawful, since it is Riba (usury). Suppose they loaned him 1,000 Riyals and took 1050 from his salary that would be Riba, which is impermissible to deal in, for it is a sin. So, let the questioner beware of such dealings. However, if what is taken from his salary is equal to what is paid to him, there is nothing wrong with that, and this is called a good loan.

Allaah Knows best.