Renting Out Property Purchased Through Mortgage, and Wearing Shirts Sponsored by Unlawful Companies

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: (1) One of my family properties we have on rent is on mortgage. So is the rent from the mortgaged house classified as haram income? We do not consume interest money from the bank because we told the bank not to give us interest money. But i know that mortgages are haram and my intention is to get rid of it as soon as i get a job. I just hope that the income is not haram.

(2) Furthermore, i am aspiring to become a professional footballer (soccer player). So i would like to ask if the shirt sponsorship is a haram company such as a bank or beer company, would it be haram to wear it? Would the income become haram if i wore it?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

(1) The rent contract is a separate transaction from the home mortgage, and so the rent you earn is lawful income. When one acquires a house by conventional mortgage, then the house does come into the person’s ownership, despite the unlawful aspect of giving interest. As such, one may rent out that property. Of course, as you state, you should get rid of the mortgage as soon as possible, within reasonable circumstances.

(2) Wearing a shirt sponsoring an unlawful company would be sinful, yet this has no bearing on the income you earn for playing the sport. You might want to consult a local scholar for advice about playing professional sports, as there are some ethical issues that arise in such a profession.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani