Resolution No. (267) (21/2018) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:
"Ruling on Claiming the Legal Interest"
Date: (05/Rabi` Rabīʿ al-Thaani/1440 AH), corresponding to (13/12/2018).
All perfect praise be to Allah The Lord of the Worlds and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
On its fourteenth session held on the above date, the Board reviewed letter No.4/5/1-8/11/2018, which reads: I would like to bring to Your Grace`s attention the fact that the Ministry has never claimed the legal interest which usually results from filing lawsuits against debtors. Debtors` non-adherence to making payments on time has inflicted harm on creditors. Debtors are actually benefiting from the Waqf`s wealth, taking hold of it (Waqf) and paying off debts at their own convenience since they aren`t forced to pay interest as a penalty for their procrastination. Resolution (55),7/11/2001 of the Iftaa` Board allowed collecting the legal interest as a compensation for harm, not as a usurious interest. In addition, the Court of Cassation (Supreme Court) has issued some resolutions confirming that this interest is a compensation for harm. In light of this, could Your Grace discuss this issue with the Iftaa` Board to consider the permissibility of claiming the legal interest resulting from the lawsuits filed by the Ministry; in accordance with the following criteria:
1. The Ministry's Legal Department presents a report that shows that the debtor is rich and is intentionally delaying the payment of the debt.
2. The Ministry`s Council is entitled to cancel the whole interest or part of it depending on each case.
3. Transfereing the value of the interests to the Waqf programs approved by Sharia in order to be spent on the eligible categories.
After deliberations, the Board arrived at the following resolution:
The legal interest imposed by some laws on the debtor who fails to pay off debts on time is usury/Riba, and thus unlawful for a Muslim to claim or benefit from. Calling it a compensation doesn`t change the fact that it is usury/Riba. This is confirmed by Resolution No.(2/6) of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, which states: "It is unlawful for the rich debtor to delay paying off due payments. Nevertheless, it isn`t permissible to stipulate that he gives a compensation against this procrastination."
Sharia doesn`t punish procrastination by imposing an interest on debt although it is unlawful for the rich to delay paying off due debt. This is particularly when it comes to public Juris, such as the properties of the Awqaf and the orphans. At the same time, it isn`t permissible for individuals or institutions to claim the legal interest.Rather, the creditor should take the necessary measures (Guarantees) to collect his money with avoiding procrastination on the part of the debtor. Allah, the Almighty, Said (What means): "but God hath permitted trade and forbidden usury." {Al-Baqarah, 275}. Jabir said that Allah's Messenger (PBUH) cursed the accepter of interest and its payer, and one who records it, and the two witnesses, and he said: They are all equal. And Allah Knows Best.
Chairperson of Iftaa` Board,
Grand Mufti of Jordan,
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh
Sheikh Abdulkareem AlKhasawneh/ Member
Sheikh Sa`eid Al-Hijjawi/ Member (I have a reservation about this resolution for it involves harm and loss of benefit)
Prof. Abdullah Al-Fawaaz/ Member
Dr. Muhammad Khair Al-Issa/ Member
Dr. Majid Al-Darawsheh/ Member
Prof. Adam Noah/ Member
Judge. Khaled Al-Worikat/ Member (I have a reservation about this resolution).
Dr. Ahmad Al-Hasanat/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Zou`bi/ Member
Dr. Rashaad Al-Khilaani