Interest (Riba) Prohibited in Islam, Christianity and Judaism
(Dawah)
1. Meaning of the word "Riba"
Riba literally means "to grow; to increase."
Technically, it denotes the amount that a lender receives from a borrower at a fixed rate in excess of the principal.
It is of two kinds:
1. Riba Nasia - taking interest on loaned money.
2. Riba Fadal - taking something of superior quality in exchange for giving less of the same kind of thing of poorer quality.
In English it is usually translated as "Interest" or "Usury"
2. Prohibition in Islam:
The word "Riba" is used in the Holy Quran 8 times.
"Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath
"O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah. that ye may (really) prosper." (Quran 3:130)
"O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, Take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger. But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly." (Quran 2:278-279)
If you are dealing in interest. Please do not expect angels to come down with swords to wage a war against you. It is talking about the severity of the sin.
"O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by) arrows, are an abomination,
Here the Quran says that intoxicants and gambling are Satans handiwork and abstain from it.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) classified it among the seven major sins
"Volume 8, Book 82, Number 840:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins."
Some Muslims may argue that only the taking of interest is prohibited. But one Sahih Hadith says
"· Hazrat Jabir r.a. has reported that the Messenger of Allah cursed the devourer of usury, its payer, its scribe and its two witnesses. He also said that they were equal (in sin)." (Mishkat-ul-
Though there are many hadith which condemn riba (interest) but these two are sufficient for now.
3. Prohibition in the Bible
"Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest." (Deuteronomy 23:19)
"Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you."
Righteous servant of God doesnt take interest
5 "Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.
7 He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.
8 He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man.
9 He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign LORD.
But the violent one will take it
"10 "Suppose he has a violent son, who sheds blood or does any of these other things
11 (though the father has done none of them): "He eats at the mountain shrines. He defiles his neighbors wife.
12 He oppresses the poor and needy. He commits robbery. He does not return what he took in pledge. He looks to the idols. He does detestable things.
13 He lends at usury and takes excessive interest. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he will surely be put to death and his blood will be on his own head" (Ezekiel 18:10-13)
Jesus Christ (pbuh) came to fulfill the Law. He said:
"[17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
[19] Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
[20] For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Mathew 5:17-20)
The Hebrew word used for interest/usury in all these verses is
neh-shek: which means:
From H5391; interest on a debt: - usury.
Hence, The Quran and Bible both consider interest to be a sin and Muslims, Christians and Jews Should NOT indulge in it.
By: Yahya Ahmed.
Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications.
No comments:
Post a Comment