The ruling on one who falls into riba without knowing it
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Question: A woman lent a man one thousand riyals on the condition that he would return one thousand and three hundred, and she did not know that this was riba. Does she bear any responsibility for this? And what is obligatory upon her?
Answer: This is undoubtedly riba. The one who did this before knowing it owes nothing, as Allah the Exalted said in His great Book: [al-Baqarah: 275]. Thus, the Exalted clarified that whoever is admonished by his Lord—meaning he knows the truth and is admonished and reminded—and then stops and repents to Allah, he owes nothing. And whoever returns to it, those are the companions of the Fire, and they will abide therein forever.
The Exalted clarifies for us that it is obligatory for one who knows riba to fear it and stay away from it, and to repent to Allah for it.
And the believer should ask and study his religion and learn, so that he does not fall into what Allah has forbidden for him; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 1037a, and its authenticity is agreed upon. This indicates to us that if a person studies his religion, gains insight, and learns, this is a sign that Allah intends good for him. But if he persists in ignorance and turning away, this is a sign that Allah intends evil for him, may Allah protect us from that. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: Sahih Muslim 2699a.
So learning is among the most important matters, and studying Islamic jurisprudence is among the greatest obligations. It is obligatory for the woman mentioned to give in charity the three hundred she obtained through the way of riba, along with repentance to Allah the Exalted; because Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Baqarah 2:278] So if you do not do it, then announce war from Allah and His Messenger. And if you repent, then yours are the principal of your wealth; you will not wrong and not be wronged. [al-Baqarah: 278-279]. We ask Allah for guidance and success for everyone.
Answer: This is undoubtedly riba. The one who did this before knowing it owes nothing, as Allah the Exalted said in His great Book:
But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest. 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.
وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا فَمَن جَاءهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىَ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللّهِ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَThe Exalted clarifies for us that it is obligatory for one who knows riba to fear it and stay away from it, and to repent to Allah for it.
And the believer should ask and study his religion and learn, so that he does not fall into what Allah has forbidden for him; because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He upon whom Allah intends to bestow goodness, He confers upon him an insight in religion
من يرد الله به خيرًا يفقهه في الدينhe who treads the path in search of knowledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him
من سلك طريقًا يلتمس فيه علمًا، سهل الله له به طريقًا إلى الجنةSo learning is among the most important matters, and studying Islamic jurisprudence is among the greatest obligations. It is obligatory for the woman mentioned to give in charity the three hundred she obtained through the way of riba, along with repentance to Allah the Exalted; because Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَذَرُواْ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.