Riba: the root of societal misery
Riba is the Arabic word for usury or interest. There is no doubt whatsoever that it is unlawful in Islam and involvement in it is considered to be among the worst of sins, carrying the severest of consequences in this world and the Hereafter.
Whilst it can take on various forms and explaining these in detail is beyond the scope of this article, the key element that makes Riba unlawful is that it is founded upon injustice. There is an exploitative gain for one side of a transaction, while the other side is left at a disadvantage.
Riba has been so severely denounced by Allah (ﷻ) and His Messenger ﷺ that any involvement in it carries the threat of severe consequences. It is a sin for which Punishment in the Hereafter has been specified in many places.
Contrast with Charity
Allah (ﷻ) says in the Quran:
“Allah destroys riba and gives increase for charities.” (2:276)
Although the word Riba in Arabic literally means increase, Allah (ﷻ) – in whose Hands is all benefit and harm – has clarified the reality of the matter for us. He (ﷻ) has said that interest does not grow – because He has not blessed it – but charity is what truly grows and benefits because it is blessed.
“And whatever you give for riba to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allah.” (30:39)
Unlike trade, the Usurer will be Raised up in insanity
Allah (ﷻ) says in the Quran:
“Those who consume 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.” (2:275)
Some people have tried to hide behind false equivalences, claiming that Riba is just another form of trade. However, this Verse refutes this view. Trade in Islam has rules and conditions that necessitate that there is no short-changing, deceit or exploitation, for a transaction to be valid. Riba is in clear violation of these principles so every usurious transaction is void.
It also reveals that those who are involved in Riba and especially those who try to justify it in such a manner will be raised on the Day of Judgement in a state of bewilderment and insanity, by which they will be recognised. They will try to stand and fail to do so due to the weight of what has filled their stomachs.
All those involved in Riba is cursed
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah has cursed the one who consumes usury, its client, its witness, and its recorder. Riba (usury) and Zina (unlawful intercourse) do not become widespread among people but that they will become vulnerable to the punishment of Allah Almighty.” [Source: Musnad Aḥmad 3799]
The meaning of “cursed” is to be deprived of Divine Blessings in this world and the Hereafter. Clearly, the paltry gain of a usurious transaction is not worth such a manifest loss. This applies to every person in the chain who is satisfied with it.
Furthermore, due to the widespread consequences upon the economy and the wider community, the entire society loses its strength and stability and becomes damaged and vulnerable to recessions, depression, poverty, crimes of desperation and many other social ills.
It is among seven deadly sins
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Stay away from (السَّبْعَ الْمُوبِقَاتِ) seven deadly sins. They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what are they?”
The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Associating partners with Allah, occult magic, killing a soul that Allah has sanctified except for a just cause, consuming usury, usurping the property of an orphan, fleeing the battlefield, and accusing chaste but unwary believing women.”
Riba is worse than Zina
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“A dirham of riba that a man knowingly consumes is worse than thirty-six acts of zina (unlawful intercourse).” (Ahmad).
There are many other hadith which emphasise this further. Such a comparison would not have been made except to illustrate the harm that is brought about Riba. It does not just affect one or two individuals or even a family but it undermines the fabric of the whole society and eventually the entire world.
It will become prevalent
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“A time will surely come upon people in which none will remain but that he consumes usury. If he does not consume it, he will be afflicted by its dust.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd 3331)
These words which have sadly come to pass in our time, indicate that when the machinery of usury will become universal and envelope and encompass every people and place, its effect will become unavoidable even if you do not personally engage in it. The dust referred to means its consequences – and we have all experienced the rising prices, failing economies, skyrocketting of housing, spiralling of debts and the likes of this. Therefore, to abide by or to defend such a system that oppresses, suppresses and transgresses against the majority of humanity for the benefit of a few, is to welcome detriment to yourself and your descendants.
Punishment before the Day of Judgement
During his Mi’raaj (miraculous ascension) the Prophet (ﷺ) was shown the consequences of various sins, so that he could warn his community more effectively. Regarding Riba specifically, he saw a group of people in a river of blood being punished with rocks thrown into their mouths. Or according to another narration, he saw a people with distended stomachs being trampled underfoot by the people of Pharaoh. And some narrations state that their stomachs are filled with scorpions and snakes. This refers to the punishment in al-Barzakh, a kind of purgatory, before the Day of Judgement.
It may bar you from entry to Paradise
The Prophet (ﷺ) has also said:
“Four Allah justly does not admit to the Garden, nor shall they taste its blessings: The One who gives himself up to the drinking of alcohol; the one who consumes interest (riba); the one who consumes the orphan’s wealth without right; and the undutiful to parents, save the one who repents.”
Notice that these are all things which may still be done whilst a person claims to be a Believer. And notice also that in each of these things there is the potential for direct or indirect injustice towards others. Therefore, no one should feel secure with their professed belief or dutiful deeds, if they cause harm to those around them.
Declaration of War
The seriousness of the matter is such that involvement in Riba is the only sin that carries the threat of war. Allah (ﷻ) has said:
“O you who believe, fear Allah and give up what remains of riba, if you are indeed believers. If you do not, then be warned of war from Allah and His Messenger.” (2:278-279)
The meaning of war is that those who willingly involve themselves in it are declaring they are in opposition to the principles of justice that Allah commands and they will therefore be treated on the Day of Judgement as enemies of Allah (ﷻ) and His Messenger (ﷺ). They will be raised under a banner of war and told to take up their weapons on that Day when there is no authority except Allah (ﷻ)’s. And we seek refuge with Him from that.
