The Meaning of the Dust of Riba

Question:
A questioner says: It was reported that in the end times, a time will come upon people in which whoever does not eat riba (usury or interest) will be affected by its dust, or as it was reported. What is the dust of riba if a person does not engage in riba?

Answer:
This is a report from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and its meaning is prohibition; it is a report whose meaning is prohibition and warning.
It is one of the signs of prophethood, because this is from the knowledge of the unseen, which no one knows except Allah. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us of it more than fourteen centuries ago, and it occurred as he (peace and blessings be upon him) informed. So a person must beware of riba as much as he is able. If something of riba befalls him without his intentional involvement, there is no blame on him, if Allah wills, provided he did not intend that thing and did not know about it.
What befalls a person of the dust of riba is something he did not intend in his transactions, in his buying and selling, in his dealings with people; something he did not intend and did not know was riba. Allah forgives that. As for the one who intends it and disobeys Allah with full awareness, he is the one who is held accountable and punished, unless Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) forgives him. Yes.