QUESTION:
Is it permissible to collect rental income from a bank that places an ATM on a property?
ANSWER:
Since majority of the bank’s income is from interest, it will not be permissible to collect rental from a banking institute that installs an ATM on one’s premises. The Quraan Sharif states,
وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٰنِۚ
“And do not assist each other in sin and transgression.”
Consider the following Aayah and Hadith:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُون (البقرة آ: 278/279)
O you who believe. Fear Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from Riba (usury) if you are believers. And if you do not do it, then prepare for war from Allah and His Rasul but if you repent, you shall have your capital amount. Do not deal unjustly, and you will not be dealt with unjustly.
وَقَالَ ابْنُ مَسْعُودٍ آكِلُ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلُهُ وَكَاتِبُهُ وَشَاهِدُهُ إذَا عَلِمُوا بِهِ مَلْعُونُونَ عَلَى لِسَانِ مُحَمَّدٍ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – إلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ – كَذَا فِي النِّهَايَةِ (الجوهرة النيرة 1/212)
Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam cursed the person that pays Riba, consumes Riba, records the transaction and witnesses the transaction.
ALLAH TA’ALA IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Molana A.K. Fazlani
Date: 05 Dhul Hijjah 1445 / 12 June 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai