The Definition of Riba and Its Ruling
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Question:
Muhammad from Riyadh says: The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade avoiding the seven destructive sins, among which is consuming riba (usury or interest). You know that financial transactions have become intertwined nowadays. What is explicit riba? How do I avoid money that contains a doubtful matter and distinguish between the lawful and the forbidden? And what is the wisdom behind the prohibition of riba?
Answer:
Consuming riba is among the greatest of major sins. Riba is a corrupt earning, a corrupt gain, and it is not permissible to consume it. By Allah, a severe threat was issued regarding riba, and it was warned against with the utmost warning in the Noble Qur'an. Riba is the increase in specific monies that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) specified in the hadith: Sunan al-Bayhaqi 5:102 by their kind. If these items are sold by their own kind, then riba al-fadl (usury of excess in a like-for-like exchange) and riba al-nasi'ah (usury of deferment) are forbidden in them, meaning the riba of increase and the riba of delay.
As for when their kinds differ, such as selling dates for dirhams, or for barley, or for wheat, then the increase is permissible, but the delay is forbidden; it must be hand-to-hand. His saying (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1587c means not delayed. And what shares the operative cause with these six categories is measured by them according to the majority of the scholars of knowledge.
So whatever resembles them and shares the operative cause for which riba was forbidden in them, it takes their ruling, and riba is forbidden in it. Riba was forbidden because it is taking without giving. The one who deals in riba takes from people and does not give to them, unlike the one who gives charity and spends, for he gives and does not take. The one who gives charity benefits the society and benefits the poor and the needy. As for the one who deals in riba, he sucks the money of the poor and the needy and increases their debts without any benefit returning to them. So he is hated by Allah and by the society. And Allah cursed the one who consumes riba. He said:Mishkat al-Masabih 2807
So you must stay away from riba. Even if dealing in it is widespread now, you must stay away from it. And if something is unclear to you, whether it is riba or not, ask the people of knowledge. He, the Exalted and Majestic, said:[An-Nahl 16:43]. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh
Muhammad from Riyadh says: The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade avoiding the seven destructive sins, among which is consuming riba (usury or interest). You know that financial transactions have become intertwined nowadays. What is explicit riba? How do I avoid money that contains a doubtful matter and distinguish between the lawful and the forbidden? And what is the wisdom behind the prohibition of riba?
Answer:
Consuming riba is among the greatest of major sins. Riba is a corrupt earning, a corrupt gain, and it is not permissible to consume it. By Allah, a severe threat was issued regarding riba, and it was warned against with the utmost warning in the Noble Qur'an. Riba is the increase in specific monies that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) specified in the hadith:
The authentic hadith: Gold for gold
الصحيح الذهب بالذهبand silver for silver, and wheat for wheat, and barley for barley, and dates for dates, and salt for salt, equal in weight, hand to hand. So if these items are sold
والفضة بالفضة والبر بالبر والشعير بالشعير والتمر بالتمر والملح بالملح سواء بسواء مثلا بمثل فإذا بيع هذه الأصنافAs for when their kinds differ, such as selling dates for dirhams, or for barley, or for wheat, then the increase is permissible, but the delay is forbidden; it must be hand-to-hand. His saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
If these classes differ, then sell as you wish if payment is made hand to hand.
فإذا اختلفت هذه الأجناس فبيعوا كيف شئتم إذا كان يدا بيدSo whatever resembles them and shares the operative cause for which riba was forbidden in them, it takes their ruling, and riba is forbidden in it. Riba was forbidden because it is taking without giving. The one who deals in riba takes from people and does not give to them, unlike the one who gives charity and spends, for he gives and does not take. The one who gives charity benefits the society and benefits the poor and the needy. As for the one who deals in riba, he sucks the money of the poor and the needy and increases their debts without any benefit returning to them. So he is hated by Allah and by the society. And Allah cursed the one who consumes riba. He said:
God's Messenger cursed the one who accepted usury, the one who paid it, the one who recorded it, and the two witnesses to it, saying they were all alike.
صلى الله عليه وسلم لعن الله آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهديه وقال هم سواء.So you must stay away from riba. Even if dealing in it is widespread now, you must stay away from it. And if something is unclear to you, whether it is riba or not, ask the people of knowledge. He, the Exalted and Majestic, said:
So ask the people of the message if you do not know.
فَاسْأَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَThe presenter:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh
Source
نور على الدرب 02-06-1438هـ — af.org.sa (15:47)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.