FatwaFederal TerritoriesTransactions & Finance
AL-KAFI #821 : BERHUTANG UNTUK MEMBELI BARANG BUKAN KEPERLUAN
Is it permissible to take on debt to buy things that are unimportant and not needed?
Short answer
Borrowing is permissible in principle, but the borrower should have a genuine and pressing need rather than a desire for luxury.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Transactions & Finance
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Borrowing is permissible in principle, but the borrower should have a genuine and pressing need rather than a desire for luxury. Scholars forbid borrowing to acquire luxury goods or items that are not truly needed, and borrowing becomes haram for someone with no pressing need who cannot repay promptly or on the agreed date. The ruling advises against borrowing without an urgent need and encourages sound financial management.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Hukum berhutang pada asalnya adalah harus.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “AL-KAFI #821 : BERHUTANG UNTUK MEMBELI BARANG BUKAN KEPERLUAN”, 2 October 2018. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/2626-al-kafi-821-berhutang-untuk-membeli-barang-bukan-keperluan. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/borrowing-to-buy-non-essential-items/