Deoband issues fatwa against marriages into families earning from interest

Darul Uloom Deoband has issued yet another fatwa directing Muslims not to solemnise marriages into families earning money through banking and related jobs drawing income from interests.

Responding to a question on whether one can solemnise a marriage into a family raised on a job with a bank, Darul Ifta (fatwa department) of the Darul Uloom Deoband said that that such families are raised on 'haram' (illegitimate) money, so Muslims should avoid marriages in those families.

"Those who are raised with money earned through banks — which is considered 'haram' in Islam — are not respectable. Marrying into such families should be preferably avoided," stated Darul Ifta on Wednesday.

Darul Ifta further stated that Islam prohibits income from investments, interests and hard work of others — which is why Islamic Banks works on an interest-free system.

Darul Uloom Deoband had issued a similar fatwa about nine years ago against the Indian banking system, which is based on interest earned on deposits and investments. Calling it 'un-Islamic', it had directed Muslims in the country to annul their bank accounts and investments.

Darul Ifta had also asked community members working in banks to quit and look for alternate jobs, as their salaries were coming from interests earned by banks which is considered 'haram' in Islam.

It was after the Deoband fatwa, then economic advisor to the Manmohan government — Raguram Rajan had mooted the idea of opening Islamic Banks in India for extending banking services to those who are against income from interests.

Earlier, Deoband had issued fatwa against Muslim women wearing jazzy designer burqa, jeans, tight salwars, and western clothes. It had also banned eyebrow trimming, hair cutting, and parlour service for Muslim women and girls.

Recently, it has also directed Muslim not to celebrate New Year, and banned cake cutting on birthdays and anniversaries, saying such celebrations were against Islam.