Is It Permissible to Apply for Schools That State That the Fees May Increase Due to Inflation?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
What is the ruling on applying to dental schools that include a clause stating fees may increase due to inflation during the four-year program?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
Fees may be increased during a study program if the fee terms and conditions specify.
Time value of money (TVM), inflation, or the loss of purchasing power is a reality and a recognized concept in Shari‘a. As such, scholars have permitted the indexation of wages and rental. However, the indexation of cash loans is not permissible due to the prohibition of usury (riba) and explicit statements in the Prophetic narrations.
What is prohibited is the exchanging of money for money with more from one side which is Riba and unlawful. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Do not sell gold for gold unless equal in weight and do not sell silver for silver unless equal in weight. Whosoever gives or demands more, then this is interest” [Bukhari; Muslim]
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I pray this helps answer your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
