Boycott Israel [IslamCity] THE REALITY OF INTEREST AND ITS MODERN INTERPRETATIONS
JAMIATUL ULAMA (KWAZULU-NATAL) THE REALITY OF INTEREST AND ITS MODERN INTERPRETATIONS The history of the prohibition of Interest In the Torah (Old Testament) where intoxicants, fornication and the consumption of pork are declared unlawful interest is also prohibited. This bears testimony to the fact that Interest was unlawful and prohibited during the time of the Banu Israaeel (Children of Israel). But the Jews in their egoism and transgression revolted against this divine law with such intensity that they became proverbial USURERS and INTEREST EATERS. During the time of the Zaboor, a group condemned for their transgression. 'Those of the children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of Dawood and of Eesa, son of Maryam. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress.' (Sura 7 v. 78) This accursed nation was continuously afflicted with punishments and calamities even upto the present day. Their empires and kingdoms were repeatedly overthrown and they wandered from door-to-door. This was in reality the consequences of their insatiable evil deed to consume interest and their insanity, through which they had murdered their own messengers and prophets (Alayhimus salaam), falsely accused them and rejected their miracles. When the Christian empire was established, one Jew deluded Christians by proclaiming that Jesus was the son of God, thereby distorting the reality of Christianity. During the era of the Christian invasion of Europe, practically every lawful thing was declared unlawful. Interest devouring has reached its peak, such a level especially after the two world wars. That practically the entire world's economy evolves around this most destructive system. RIBA OR INTEREST Interest in the Holy Qur'an is referred to as 'Riba'. Riba is derived from the word, 'Ribwun' which literally means 'increase'. This outward increase, in reality, is a loss. Allah most High sanctions in the Noble Qur'an: 'Allah has blighted Usury and made almsgiving fruitful' This verse explicitly explains the reality of Interest and its result. In the above verse, the word 'Yurbi' is used in its literal meaning which means increase and the word 'Riba' is used in its figurative meaning: that excess in a transaction, against which there is no value. If the above meanings are not observed, the correct translation of this verse will not be possible. This verse informs us that the apparent (outer) increase in Interest is in reality decrease and loss and the apparent (outer) decrease in charity is in reality expansion and increase. INTEREST IS HARAAM (IN ITS NATURE AND SUBSTANCE) Allah most High has made unlawful for the believers all types and forms of interest because interest in its nature and essence is Haraam and the prohibiting factor is also found in it i.e. decreasing and abolishing. These two realities i.e. prohibition and decreasing are original qualities of the very nature of interest and because the original properties can never be abandoned. From it, no portion of interest can be free from these two qualities. Consequently, each and every part of interest is forbidden and Haraam. The conclusion that little interest and single interest is lawful proves total ignorance of the reality of interest or is based upon false imputations. MR SABSWARI'S MISCONCEPTION Mr Sabswari has termed the Alif laam on the word Al riba in the verse 'Allah permitted trading and forbiddeth usury' as an indication to a particular type of interest, not all types of interest. He terms that particular type of interest, as compound interest. He claims that this verse forbids only compound interest and not all interests. He further tries to substantiate this by using Imaam Razi's statement that the Alif laam on the word Riba is similar to the Alif laam on the word 'bay' which really means that the permission granted to trading in the said verse refers to a particular type of trade. What particular trade is meant in this verse? It is evident that this view of Mr Sabswari is incorrect. In reality, the word alif laam in both the words Riba and Bay' (Trade) are general and refer to all types of trade and interest. Unfortunately, Mr Sabswari who is not a theologian, wrongly substantiated his view with the words of Imaam Razi (and could not understand these words from Imaam Razi RA). The verse prohibiting Interest is not Muskil (an Aayat which does not give a definite meaning and requires some interpretation to understand it) nor it is Mushtabeeh (an Aayat bearing more than one meaning and requires something to determine which meaning is meant) nor is it obliterated (Mahsooq) by the Ahaadith that it can be refuted or rejected.' Qaadhi Thanaullah mentions in his commentary of the Noble Qur'an, Tafseer Mazhari that trade in this verse means all types of trade that are not Makrooh (disliked) Baatil (incorrect) and Faasid (corrupt). He also accepts that
Boycott Israel [IslamCity] THE REALITY OF INTEREST AND ITS MODERN INTERPRETATIONS
Title Regarding Riba (interest) Question Respected Mufti Sahib, I am trying to convince my father that Riba is Haraam and is strictly forbidden in Islam. I told him that taking as well as giving interest is haraam which means a muslim cannot buy a car or house on interest. My father asked me to provide a relevant hadith or ayaat to support this point. Your kind assistance would be appreciated. Jazakallah. Answer THE REALITY OF INTEREST AND ITS MODERN INTERPRETATIONS The history of the prohibition of Interest In the Torah (Old Testament) where intoxicants, fornication and the consumption of pork are declared unlawful interest is also prohibited. This bears testimony to the fact that Interest was unlawful and prohibited during the time of the Banu Israaeel (Children of Israel). But the Jews in their egoism and transgression revolted against this divine law with such intensity that they became proverbial USURERS and INTEREST EATERS. During the time of the Zaboor, a group condemned for their transgression. 'Those of the children of Israel who went astray were cursed by the tongue of Dawood and of Eesa, son of Maryam. That was because they rebelled and used to transgress.' (Sura 7 v. 78) This accursed nation was continuously afflicted with punishments and calamities even upto the present day. Their empires and kingdoms were repeatedly overthrown and they wandered from door-to-door. This was in reality the consequences of their insatiable evil deed to consume interest and their insanity, through which they had murdered their own messengers and prophets (Alayhimus salaam), falsely accused them and rejected their miracles. When the Christian empire was established, one Jew deluded Christians by proclaiming that Jesus was the son of God, thereby distorting the reality of Christianity. During the era of the Christian invasion of Europe, practically every lawful thing was declared unlawful. Interest devouring has reached its peak, such a level especially after the two world wars. That practically the entire world's economy evolves around this most destructive system. RIBA OR INTEREST Interest in the Holy Qur'an is referred to as 'Riba'. Riba is derived from the word, 'Ribwun' which literally means 'increase'. This outward increase, in reality, is a loss. Allah most High sanctions in the Noble Qur'an: 'Allah has blighted Usury and made almsgiving fruitful' This verse explicitly explains the reality of Interest and its result. In the above verse, the word 'Yurbi' is used in its literal meaning which means increase and the word 'Riba' is used in its figurative meaning: that excess in a transaction, against which there is no value. If the above meanings are not observed, the correct translation of this verse will not be possible. This verse informs us that the apparent (outer) increase in Interest is in reality decrease and loss and the apparent (outer) decrease in charity is in reality expansion and increase. INTEREST IS HARAAM (IN ITS NATURE AND SUBSTANCE) Allah most High has made unlawful for the believers all types and forms of interest because interest in its nature and essence is Haraam and the prohibiting factor is also found in it i.e. decreasing and abolishing. These two realities i.e. prohibition and decreasing are original qualities of the very nature of interest and because the original properties can never be abandoned. From it, no portion of interest can be free from these two qualities. Consequently, each and every part of interest is forbidden and Haraam. The conclusion that little interest and single interest is lawful proves total ignorance of the reality of interest or is based upon false imputations. MR SABSWARI'S MISCONCEPTION Mr Sabswari has termed the Alif laam on the word Al riba in the verse 'Allah permitted trading and forbiddeth usury' as an indication to a particular type of interest, not all types of interest. He terms that particular type of interest, as compound interest. He claims that this verse forbids only compound interest and not all interests. He further tries to substantiate this by using Imaam Razi's statement that the Alif laam on the word Riba is similar to the Alif laam on the word 'bay' which really means that the permission granted to trading in the said verse refers to a particular type of trade. What particular trade is meant in this verse? It is evident that this view of Mr Sabswari is incorrect. In reality, the word alif laam in both the words Riba and Bay' (Trade) are general and refer to all types of trade and interest. Unfortunately, Mr Sabswari who is not a theologian, wrongly substantiated his view with the words of Imaam Razi (and could not understand these words from Imaam Razi RA). The verse prohibiting Interest is not Muskil (an Aayat which does not give a definite meaning and requires some interpretation to understand it) nor it is Mushtabeeh (an Aayat bearing more than one meaning and requires something to determine which meaning is meant)
