Debtor paying more than the loan
Question
I had a client who had owed me a certain amount of money and paid me after a long time. Due to the delay, she decided to give me a certain amount extra than what was owed. Upon enquiry, she said that the balance was with interest and “love” as a gesture of being kind. Is this extra money considered interest, and if so, should I dispose of it?
Answer
The extra amount received from the debtor is interest and should be given out in charity to recipients of Zakaat or poor non-Muslims without any intention of reward.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
ألا ترى أن ربا النساء حرام لشبهة مبادلة المال بالأجل، فلأن تحرم حقيقة أولى
البناية ص26 ج10
وَقَوْلُهُ: رِبًا أَيْ حَرَامٌ، أَيْ: فَضْلٌ خَالٍ عَنْ الْعِوَضِ (المبسوط للسرخسي ص111 ج12)
- Answered by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai
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