Question:
A father enrolled his son in a private institution under a “no-cost EMI” scheme believing there was no interest. The institution deceived him, and later interest payments appeared. He paid for a year and then passed away.
Will Allahﷻ question him for entering into an interest-based transaction?
Answer:
If someone commits something knowingly, then he is accountable.
But if he was deceived or unaware, Allahﷻ does not hold him accountable.
For example, if someone unknowingly consumes an intoxicating substance believing it is something beneficial, say it was like dates stuffed with narcotics, or a soda like drink with alcohol; or someone taught a bad work word associating shirk in Chinese language and you uttered it ; If you throw a stone and it falls on someone’s head;
These are all done without your intention, then Allahﷻ does not hold you responsible. Even Musa (Alahis Salam) killed a person inadvertently, yet Allahﷻ forgave him.
Similarly, if someone is tricked into a financial contract believing it contains no interest, he is not sinful.
The Prophetﷺ ﷺ said that Allahﷻ has forgiven this community for:
- Mistakes,
- Forgetfulness,
- Actions done under compulsion.
Therefore, if the father truly did not know about the interest and was deceived, Allahﷻ will not hold him accountable.