Ribaa (Interest) 
Written by Dr. Bilal Philips
Monday, 10 July 2006
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Ribaa (Interest)
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A classical example in these times of impatience and haste leading to Haraam is related to Ribaa. Some Muslims in the West are quick to point out that the whole economic system of western civilization is founded on an interest-based system, and as such necessitates dealing with interest.
They may also add that paying rent year after year with no real return, and residence in unsuitable housing, all make buying a house with a mortgage a must: even if it means taking a bank loan, and or paying monthly installments which include an interest rate. It may also be pointed out by them that dire necessity makes the forbidden allowable, is a well-known principle in Islaamic law, hence the sins one is forced to do are not held against him. This principle can be found in Ibn Abbaas’ report that the Prophet said, “Allaah has pardoned my people for their inadvertent mistakes, their forgetfulness and for what they were forced to do.” 1
It can also be found in the Qur’aanic verse following the mention of the categories of forbidden meat, wherein Allaah has said, “But for whoever is forced by hunger (to eat of the forbidden) without desiring sin, verily Allaah is forgiving and merciful.” (Qur’an 5:3)
However, the point is, what is meant by the word “forced” and how is dire necessity defined? Does it refer to circumstances under which one desires something badly and is driven by that desire to believe that he or she cannot live without it? Or is it only applicable to circumstances in which one is threatened with loss of life or limb? Does it mean when one’s life is in danger? The case usually cited to illustrate what is meant by forced is that of Ibn Yaasir, The Sahaabee who accepted Islaam as a slave and was tortured to the point of death to renounce his belief. He complied with his master’s demand and falsely admitted that the Prophet was a magician and that the Makkan idols were his gods. After being released from torture, Ammaar Ibn Yaasir avoided the Prophet’s company out of shame for what had said; especially since both his father, Yaasir, and his mother, Sumayyah, chose to be tortured to death rather than deny their belief in Allaah and His Prophet. When the Prophet learned of Ammaar’s feelings of shame, he called for him and asked him about the state of his heart. Ammaar replied that it was full of Eemaan (belief), so the Prophet said, “If they repeat the torture repeat what you said.”
Then Allaah revealed the following verse, “Whoever disbelieves in Allaah after believing, except he who is forced though his heart is at peace with Eemaan; Allaah is angry with whoever finds ease in disbelief and they will have a severe penalty.” 2,3
This Hadeeth clearly illustrates the true meaning of being “forced” and “dire necessity” as understood by the Sharee’ah; circumstances in which one may incur the loss of life or limb. Only in situations in which one’s life or limb is actually threatened can be considered the type of necessity which would make certain Haraam practices permissible.
Whenever western colonial powers wanted to introduce offensive practices in colonized Muslim lands, they would first gain control of a promising Muslim scholar and then coerce him into making Fatwaas (legal rulings) in their favor. Thus, Ribaa (which was unthinkable among Muslims less than a hundred years ago) found its way into the ranks of Muslims through the Fatwaas of the likes of Muhammad Abduh, who was installed by the British as Shaykh al-Azhaar (Chancellor of al-Azhaar University in Egypt) against the will of its staff. Under the influence of these Fatwaas, Abdullah Yusuf Ali stated in his commentary on the verses on Ribaa that the prohibition did not include “economic credit, the creature of modern banking and finance.” However, serious unbiased consideration of the main Qur’aanic verses on Ribaa found at the end of Soorah al-Baqarah and the severe warnings of the last Prophet indicate an unconditional opposition to Ribaa in all of its forms.
In verse 275 of Soorah al-Baqarah, Allaah starts off a frontal attack on Ribaa describing those who take interest in the most repulsive terms: “Those who devour interest stand up like someone lurching from Satan’s touch.” 4
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 08 August 2006 )
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Gabriel! Who are these people? He replied these are those who devoured usury. [Ahmed,Ibn Majah] 
I have a Query?
Riba.. Is it interest or is it usury?
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