THE CURSE OF RIBA

 The Prohibition of Riba in light of verses of the Qur’an

• Surah Ar-Rum, Verse 39

(revealed in the 6^th year of Prophethood)

“And whatever you give for riba to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah. But what you give in zakah (obligatory alms), desiring the countenance of Allah - those are the multipliers.”

• Surah Aal-e-Imran, Verse 130 (revealed in the 3^rd year of Hijrah)

“O you who have believed, do not consume (and engage in transactions of) riba, doubled and multiplied (compounded), but fear Allah that you may be successful.”

• Surah An-Nisa, Verses 160-161 (revealed in the 5^th year of Hijrah)

“For wrongdoing on the part of the Jews, We made unlawful for them [certain] good foods which had been lawful to them, and for their averting from the way of Allah many [people],” (verse 160)

“And [for] their taking of riba while they had been forbidden from it, and their consuming of the people's wealth unjustly. And we have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.” (verse 161)

• Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 275-276 (revealed in the 9^th year of Hijrah)

“Those who consume (are engaged in transactions of) riba cannot stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, "Trade is (just) like riba!" But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden riba. So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to (riba - dealing in interest or usury) - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.” (verse 275)

“Allah destroys riba (usury or interest) and gives increase for charities. And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever.” (verse 276)

• Surah Al-Baqarah, Verses 278-281 (revealed in the 9^th year of Hijrah)

“O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains (due to/of you) of riba, if you should be believers.” (verse 278)

“And if you do not (give up transactions of riba), then be informed of a war (against you) from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent (from riba-based transactions), you may have your principal – (thus) you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.” (verse 279)

“And if someone is in hardship, then (let there be) postponement until (a time of) ease. But if you give (from your right as) charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.”                 (verse 280)

“And fear a Day when you will be returned to Allah. Then every soul will be compensated for what it earned, and they will not be treated unjustly.” (verse 281)

The Prohibition of Riba in light of Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (SAAW)

• Jabir (RA) narrates that “The Messenger of Allah (SAAW) cursed the one who consumes riba and the one who pays it, the one who writes it down (records the transaction) and the two who witness it, and he added: they are all the same (in sin).” (Sahih Muslim)
• It has been narrated by Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said, “Riba is of seventy different parts (degrees of sin), the least heinous being equivalent to a man marrying his own mother.” (Ibn e Majah)
• It has been narrated by Abdullah bin Hanzala (RA) that Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said, “A dirham of riba which a man devours knowingly is worse (more sinful) than committing adultery thirty-six times." (Musnad Ahmad)
• It has been narrated by Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said, “(Beware)…Avoid the seven great destructive sins.” "O Messenger of Allah (SAAW)! What are they?” The companions enquired. He (SAAW) replied, “To join others in worship along with Allah (polytheism), to practice magic, to take the life (kill) which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law), to eat up Riba (engage in usury and interest based transactions), to eat up an orphan's wealth, to show back to the enemy and flee from the battlefield at the time of battle (Qit’aal), and to (falsely) accuse chaste women (of impurity), who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers.” (Sahih Muslim)
• It has been narrated by Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said, “I came across a people in the night in which I was taken to heaven (The journey of Al-Mairaj). Their bellies are like houses wherein there are serpents which can be seen from outside their bellies. I asked: O Gabriel! Who are they? He replied: These are those who devoured riba.” (Ibn Majah)
• It has been narrated by Sumrah bin Jundub (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said, “On the night of Al-Mairaj, I saw a man swimming in a stream and being pelted with stones. I questioned: Who is this? I was told: The consumer of riba.” (Musnad Ahmad)
• It has been narrated by Abdullah bin Masud (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said, “No matter how much mounted up (accumulated) riba becomes, it (riba) ultimately results (invariably) in reduction and shortage (at the individual as well as the collective level).” (Musnad Ahmad, Ibn e Majah)
• It has been narrated by Abu Huraira (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAAW) said, “There will come a time when you will not be able to find a single person (in the world) who will not be consuming riba. And if anyone claims that he is not consuming riba then surely the vapor (or dust) of riba will reach him.” (Ibn e Majah)