Illustrate and explain the process of the prohibition of riba in the Quran?

The basic principle of Islamic financial system is the prohibition of riba (Usury). The
Arabic word, riba, literally means growth, excess, addition, expansion, surplus or increase.
Riba, from Sharia perspective, refers to any predetermined and conditional extra amount, big
or small, that must be paid by the borrower to the lender above and over the principal, for the
loan to be materialized or for an extension in its maturity. Riba is categorically prohibited by
Quran and Sunna regardless of whether the loan is taken for the purpose of consumption or
for some production activity. The prohibition of riba implies that the predetermined positive
return on a loan as a reward for waiting is not permitted by Sharia, regardless whether the
return is a fix or variable percentage of the principal, an absolute amount to be paid in
advance or on maturity, or received in the form of a gift or prize or a service.
The prohibition of riba applies equally to the loans obtained from or extended to
Muslims as well as non-Muslims. There is no distinction between Muslims and non-Muslims,
or between individuals and states with respect to the receipt and payment of interest.
Therefore, the prohibition of riba has universal application. This is consistent with Islam
being a universal religion that preaches the unity of mankind and the equality of all
individuals, irrespective of their sex, color, nationality or faith. The prohibition is explicitly
mentioned in four different revelations (Surah) of Quran (2:275-76, 2:278-279, 3:130, 4:161
and 30:39) expressing the following ideas:
Riba deprives wealth from Allahs blessings.
Riba is equated with wrongful appropriation of property belonging to others
Muslim should stay away from riba for the sake of their own welfare.
When lending money, Muslims are asked to take only the principal and forgo even
that sum if the borrower is unable to repay.
Despite the apparent similarity of profits from trade and profits from riba, only profits
from trade are allowed.


As we noted above, we can in isolated or late sources find some ahadith containing
some kind of definition of riba, but their authenticity is very doubtful. We illustrate this by a
detailed discussion of two ahadith that Usmani uses to show that riba is interest of every type.
It is reported by Hammad bin Salamah in his Jame from Sayyidna Abu Hurayrah (radiy allah
an hu) that the Holy Prophet (sall allah alayhi wa sallam) has said:

"If the creditor received a goat as mortgage from the debtor, the creditor may use its milk to
the extent he has spent in providing fodder to the goat. However, if the milk is more than the
price of the fodder, the excess is riba." Usmani, para 99)

That they took riba, though they were forbidden and that they devoured men's substance
wrongfully We have prepared for those among men who reject faith a grievous
punishment (Quran 4:161)
Those who charge riba are in the same position as those controlled by the devil's influence.
This is because they claim that riba is the same as commerce. However, God permits
commerce, and prohibits riba. Thus, whoever heeds this commandment from his Lord, and
refrains from riba, he may keep his past earnings, and his judgement rests with God. As for
those who persist in riba, they incur Hell, wherein they abide forever (Quran 2:275)
God condemns riba, and blesses charities. God dislikes every disbeliever, guilty. Lo!
those who believe and do good works and establish worship and pay the poor-due, their
reward is with their Lord and there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they
grieve. O you who believe, you shall observe God and refrain from all kinds of riba, if
you are believers. If you do not, then expect a war from God and His messenger. But if
you repent, you may keep your capitals, without inflicting injustice, or incurring
injustice. If the debtor is unable to pay, wait for a better time. If you give up the loan as
a charity, it would be better for you, if you only knew. (Quran 2:276-280)

Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his
touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath
permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord,
desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat
(The offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein (for ever). (Quran 2:275)

O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah. that ye
may (really) prosper. (Quran 3:130)

O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if
ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, Take notice of war from Allah and His
Messenger. But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and
ye shall not be dealt with unjustly. (Quran 2:278-279)

If you are dealing in interest. Please do not expect angels to come down with swords
to wage a war against you. It is talking about the severity of the sin. For other sins like
alcohol, gambling etc. the Quran says

O ye who believe! Intoxicants and gambling, (dedication of) stones, and (divination by)
arrows, are an abomination,- of Satan's handwork: eschew such (abomination), that ye
may prosper. (Quran 5:90)

Here the Quran says that intoxicants and gambling are Satans handiwork and abstain
from it. In the case of Riba (Interest) the Quran does not only say that its a sin but it says that
Allah (SWT) and his messenger Muhammad (pbuh) will wage a war against. Showing how
grave this sin really is. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said :
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) classified it among the seven major sins
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." They (the people!) asked,
"O Allah's Apostle! What are they?" He said, "To join partners in worship with Allah; to
practice sorcery; to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according
to Islamic law); to eat up usury (Riba), to eat up the property of an orphan; to give one's back
to the enemy and freeing from the battle-field at the time of fighting and to accuse chaste
women who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers."
Some Muslims may argue that only the taking of interest is prohibited. But one Sahih
Hadith says
Hazrat Jabir r.a. has reported that the Messenger of Allah cursed the devourer of
usury, its payer, its scribe and its two witnesses. He also said that they were equal (in
sin). (Mishkat-ul-Masabih).

Prohibition of riba in the Qur'an not revealed all at once , but lowered in the four level:-
The first stage , rejected the notion that the Prohibition of riba in the Qur'an not
revealed all at once , but lowered in the four level 1. The first stage , rejected the notion that
the riba loan on his outward as if to help those in need as an act of approaching or taqarrub to
God " And , you give me a riba so he added the property of men, then the riba does not
increase with Allah . And , what do you give charity, do you mean to achieve the pleasure of
Allah ( to do so ) are the ones that manifold ( reward ) " ( ar - Ruum : 39 )
The second stage , described as a riba is bad. God threatened to give a hard return to
the Jewish people who take usury ." So iniquity of the Jews We made unlawful for them
(foods) good and wholesome (formerly) lawful for them , and because they are much hinder
(men ) from the Path of Allah , and because they took usury, though indeed they were
forbidden it, and that they devoured men's substance wrongfully . We have prepared for the
disbelievers among them a painful punishment . " (An -Nisa ' : 160-161 )
The third stage , banned riba with additional associated to a manifold. The
interpretation of the opinion that taking flowers to a high enough level that many phenomena
practiced at that time. Allah says,
" O ye who believe, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you
may prosper. " ( Ali - Imran : 130 )
This verse down in the 3rd year of Hijri. In general , this verse should be understood
that multiple criteria is not a condition of the occurrence of riba ( usury if it doubled , but if
small non- riba ) , but this is the general nature of the practice of money at the time of
flowering. Similarly, this verse should be understood comprehensively with verses 278-279 of
Surah al- Baqarah, which fell on the 9th Hijri ( More details , see the discussion of "
justification Intake Reason Usury " point " double " ) .
The final phase , with clearly explain God and firmly forbid any additional type of
loan taken . This is the last verse was revealed concerning the laptop." O ye who believe , fear
Allah and give up what remains compatible ( not yet collected ) if ye are indeed believers. So ,
if you do not ( leave residue laptop ) then know that Allah and His Messenger will fight you .
And , if you repent ( from riba ) shall have the principal of your wealth you are not harmed
and was not harmed. " ( Al- Baqarah : 278-279 )