Mediator for a loan

13-2-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

I would like to ask is it lawful to take money as charges if I give a person some amounts or if I help him in taking loans from an Islamic Bank?

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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.

 

Your query contains two matters:

First, taking wages against giving loans is nothing but interest. So, it is forbidden. Any kind of involvement in interest is a major sin and the person wages war against Allaah and His Prophet . For more details about the dangers of interest, read the Fatwa: 81364.

Second, helping a person to receive a loan from an Islamic bank is of two kinds:

A)   Taking wages against some services rather than merely making a recommendation is allowed.

B)   Taking wages for making a recommendation to the authorities, which is called price of prestige, is a controversial matter among Muslim Jurists.

Al Shaafi'ee and Al Hanabilah are of the opinion that the price of prestige is lawful.

Al Malikiyah is of the opinion that some times it is allowed; sometimes it is dislikeable, and some times it becomes even forbidden.

However, when an influential person is in need of expenditure or bears troubles or makes a journey for this business he may take the wages which are generally taken for such services.

Islamweb adopted the last opinion and issued Fataawa accordingly.

Allaah knows best.