Chapter on Riba.
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The Shaykh : Now, we begin with the chapter on riba (usury or interest).
Riba in language means increase, as in the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Hajj 22:5] meaning: it rose and increased.
And from it is His saying, the Exalted:[Al-Mu'minun 23:50] meaning: to a high place that is higher than the level of the ground.
As for in the Shari'ah: "It is the increase in two things between which the Lawgiver has forbidden preference with a consideration", the increase between two things between which the Lawgiver has forbidden preference with a consideration.
Or: "The delay in taking possession of what is required to be taken possession of", and it is forbidden by the Book, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the Muslims., and he mentioned among them: consuming riba.
And there is a great warning in the Qur'an and the Sunnah regarding it. The Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "There is no sin, other than shirk (associating partners with Allah), for which a warning has been sent down like what has been sent down regarding the warning against consuming riba", and that is because it is corruption for the society in their religion and their worldly affairs, for it necessitates that people sustain themselves with what is haram (forbidden), and it necessitates that the classes of people differ, so that some of them are at the top and some of them are in the garbage.
And in it occurs the financial inflation that destroys the economy among the Ummah (the Muslim community), so for this reason many texts have come regarding the warning against it.
And the severe warning came regarding it because souls love wealth, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Fajr 89:20]: so they need a strong deterrent that prevents them from consuming this haram wealth, for if the warning were light, it would be easy for a person to consume this haram wealth, but if the warning is great, the one who has faith in his heart will be deterred.
Then, this great riba, for which Allah has warned in His Book and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in his Sunnah, and the Muslims have agreed upon its prohibition, there is no difference in it whether the one who takes riba is in need or not in need. If he took a rope to chop wood and eat, it would be better for him than that he gives riba.
Then know that riba will be in specific things that are mentioned in the hadiths that will come, if Allah wills.
Among the proofs from the Book regarding its prohibition is the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Ali 'Imran 3:130-131]: and this indicates that the one who consumes riba is threatened with the Fire prepared for the disbelievers.
And His saying, the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:275].
And His saying, the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:278-279].
And His saying, the Exalted:[Ar-Rum 30:39].
Riba in language means increase, as in the saying of Allah the Exalted:
but when We send down upon it rain, it quivers and swells
فإذا أنزلنا عليها الماء اهتزت وربتAnd from it is His saying, the Exalted:
and sheltered them within a high ground having level [areas] and flowing water.
وآويناهما إلى ربوةٍ ذات قرار ومعينAs for in the Shari'ah: "It is the increase in two things between which the Lawgiver has forbidden preference with a consideration", the increase between two things between which the Lawgiver has forbidden preference with a consideration.
Or: "The delay in taking possession of what is required to be taken possession of", and it is forbidden by the Book, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the Muslims.
Avoid the seven destructive sins
اجتنبوا السبع الموبقاتAnd there is a great warning in the Qur'an and the Sunnah regarding it. The Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "There is no sin, other than shirk (associating partners with Allah), for which a warning has been sent down like what has been sent down regarding the warning against consuming riba", and that is because it is corruption for the society in their religion and their worldly affairs, for it necessitates that people sustain themselves with what is haram (forbidden), and it necessitates that the classes of people differ, so that some of them are at the top and some of them are in the garbage.
And in it occurs the financial inflation that destroys the economy among the Ummah (the Muslim community), so for this reason many texts have come regarding the warning against it.
And the severe warning came regarding it because souls love wealth, as Allah the Exalted said:
And you love wealth with immense love.
وتحبون المال حباً جماًThen, this great riba, for which Allah has warned in His Book and the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in his Sunnah, and the Muslims have agreed upon its prohibition, there is no difference in it whether the one who takes riba is in need or not in need. If he took a rope to chop wood and eat, it would be better for him than that he gives riba.
Then know that riba will be in specific things that are mentioned in the hadiths that will come, if Allah wills.
Among the proofs from the Book regarding its prohibition is the saying of Allah the Exalted:
(130) O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful. (131) And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.
يأيها الذين أمنوا لا تأكلوا الربوا أضعافاً مضعفة واتقوا الله لعلكم تفلحون * واتقوا النار التي أعدت للكافرينAnd His saying, the Exalted:
So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] - those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein.
فمن جاءه موعظة من ربه فانتهى فله ما سلف وأمره إلى الله ومَن عاد فأولئك أصحب النار هم فيها خلدونAnd His saying, the Exalted:
(278) O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. (279) And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal - [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.
يا أيها الذين أمنوا اتقوا الله وذروا ما بقى من الربوا إن كنتم مؤمنين * فإن لم تفعلوا فأذنوا بحرب من الله ورسوله وإن تبتم فلكم رءوس أموالكم لا تظلمون ولا تظلمونAnd His saying, the Exalted: