I loaned a sum of money to a friend. The loan was made by way of a cheque which incurred bank charges.

Answer

A loan given is termed in the

Qur'aan Majeed, Qard-e-Hasanah (Beautiful Loan), which the Qur'aan says is a 'loan given to Allah Ta'ala'. Surely, you would not dream charging Allah Ta'ala a fee. Look at all the millions of bounties (Ni'maat) Allah Ta'ala has bestowed to you. The reward of Qardh-e-Hasanah far exceeds the rewards of Sadqah. You have to pay the bank charge. You will be receiving the reward in the Aakhirah and barkat in your Rizq here on earth for giving the loan.