Response to those who say: That riba (usury or interest) is permissible in this age if it is for investment.

The Shaykh : And the fatwa (a scholarly legal ruling) varies according to the circumstances, but this is contingent upon verifying the operative cause of the ruling, not contingent upon personal desire. Otherwise, we would have to accept the claim of some people: that riba (usury or interest) is permissible in this age if it is for development and investment, and not if it is for exploitation and injustice. We do not accept this. No one can say that riba (usury or interest) is permissible, even if it is for investment, even if it is for development. Rather, riba (usury or interest) is forbidden in every case, whether it involves injustice or not. We will address this specific issue at another time, if Allah wills. Good.