---
title: "Deferred Sale Versus Riba: What Is the Difference? (Verbatim Text from IslamWeb)"
description: "Deferred sale versus riba: we quote from IslamWeb, in Arabic, the differences between them, since so many new Muslims confuse instalments with riba."
url: "https://iqraairtqi.com/en/blogs/fiqh-of-transactions-for-non-arabs"
date: "2026-09-02T07:02:40+00:00"
---

# Deferred Sale Versus Riba: What Is the Difference? (Verbatim Text from IslamWeb)

<div class="whiteboard-box">- **Deferred sale versus riba:** we quote from IslamWeb, in Arabic, the differences between them, since so many new Muslims confuse instalments with riba.
- 📖 The text is quoted as it appears with a link to the fatwa, and we add no ruling of our own.
- 🛒 Nearly every expat meets buying on credit: a car, appliances, a home.
- ⚖️ For any specific contract, ask a scholar or a recognised fatwa centre and give them its details.

</div>Why this topic?
---------------

Many new Muslims and expats live where buying by instalments and financing are common, and they ask: what is the difference between a sale with a deferred price and riba? IslamWeb's fatwa "The differences between deferred sale and riba al-nasi'ah" gives a short answer.

The differences between deferred sale and riba al-nasi'ah (original text)
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> فإن بين البيع لأجل وربا النسيئة فروقًا متعددة، منها: أن البيع لأجل لا يزاد على ثمنه المتفق عليه وقت التعاقد في حال تأخر المشتري عن سداده، بعكس الربا الذي يزيد في الذمة كلما تأخر سداده، وقد يبلغ بهذا الأسلوب أضعاف السعر الأصلي. ومنها: أن البيع لأجل يكون على سلع حقيقة؛ مما يحرك الاقتصاد وينميه، بخلاف الربا الذي ليست فيه سلعة من الأساس.  
> <cite>— IslamWeb, [الفروق بين البيع لأجل وربا النسيئة](https://www.islamweb.net/ar/fatwa/409771/الفروق-بين-البيع-لأجل-وربا-النسيئة)</cite>

The ruling as the fatwa states it (original text)
-------------------------------------------------

> ولهذه الفروق المؤثرة، فقد اختلف الحكم الشرعي فيهما، حيث أباح الله عز وجل البيع؛ لما فيه من المصالح، وحرم الربا؛ لما فيه من المفاسد, قال الله تعالى: وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبا \[البقرة:275\].  
> <cite>— IslamWeb, [الفروق بين البيع لأجل وربا النسيئة](https://www.islamweb.net/ar/fatwa/409771/الفروق-بين-البيع-لأجل-وربا-النسيئة)</cite>

The fatwa quotes the verse: *"Allah has permitted trade and forbidden riba"* (al-Baqarah 2:275).

> فالبيع لأجل جائز بشروطه، وأما الربا فمن كبائر الذنوب التي توعد الله أصحابها، قال تعالى لمن أصر على الربا، ولم يتب منه: فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ \[البقرة:279\]، وقد ذكره رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ضمن السبع الموبقات.  
> <cite>— IslamWeb, [الفروق بين البيع لأجل وربا النسيئة](https://www.islamweb.net/ar/fatwa/409771/الفروق-بين-البيع-لأجل-وربا-النسيئة)</cite>

What do we do?
--------------

- **We quote and do not issue rulings:** the text above is the fatwa centre's own words.
- **We do not judge specific contracts:** each contract has its own terms and details.
- **We advise you:** to ask a recognised fatwa centre before signing any financing contract, with a full copy of its terms.

To learn the definition and types of riba, read [Riba: its meaning and types](/blogs/fiqh-of-transactions-for-non-arabs-examples). To start learning the basics of the faith and worship, see [The five pillars of Islam for a new Muslim](/blogs/fiqh-of-worship-for-non-arabic-speakers).

<div class="faq-section">#### Frequently asked questions

<div class="faq-item">**Q: What is the difference between a deferred sale and riba?**A: The fatwa quoted above lists several differences, and we quote them in its own words.

</div><div class="faq-item">**Q: Is buying on instalments permitted?**A: We do not issue rulings. Read the fatwa text above and ask a recognised fatwa centre about your specific contract.

</div><div class="faq-item">**Q: Which verses does the fatwa mention?**A: Al-Baqarah 2:275, "Allah has permitted trade and forbidden riba", and 2:279 about those who persist in riba, as they appear in the quoted article.

</div><div class="faq-item">**Q: Where can I read more?**A: In the same fatwa, which refers to other fatwas.

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