Discuss usury as a great sin, the horrors of usury and its punishment in the Hereafter in the light.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Barakatuhu
Dear Companions Today I am going to share with you something about the sun being a major sin and its horrors and how to survive this usury.
Usury, commonly known as "riba" in Islamic terminology, is a practice that involves charging or paying interest on loans. In Islam, usury is considered a grave sin, and the Quran and Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) provide clear guidance on its prohibition and the consequences in the Hereafter. Usury is condemned for its negative economic, social, and ethical consequences, and the Islamic tradition warns of severe punishment for those who engage in usurious activities.
The Quran's stance on usury is unambiguous. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275-279), it is stated:
"Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the devil has driven to madness by (his) touch. That is because they say: 'Trade is just like usury,' whereas Allah permits trading and forbids 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)."
This Quranic passage makes it clear that engaging in usury is tantamount to madness and being driven by the devil. It is a sin of grave consequence that is explicitly forbidden by Allah. The verse distinguishes between trade and usury, highlighting that while trading is permissible in Islam, usury is strictly prohibited. Those who persist in engaging in usury will face dire consequences in the Hereafter, where they will be companions of the Fire, meaning they will be among the dwellers of Hell.
The Hadith, which are the recorded sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, further emphasize the gravity of usury and its implications in the Hereafter. One of the most well-known Hadith that addresses the issue of usury is found in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said:
"Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, salt for salt, like for like, same for same, hand to hand. If the types are different, sell as you wish if payment is made hand to hand."
This Hadith underscores the principle of fair exchange and prohibits any form of usurious transactions where different types of commodities or unequal quantities are exchanged. The use of the phrase "hand to hand" emphasizes the need for immediate and transparent transactions, eliminating the possibility of usury.
Another Hadith that reinforces the prohibition of usury can be found in Sahih Muslim, where the Prophet Muhammad stated:
"A dirham which a man receives as a loan is a trust on him, and a dirham which he gives as a loan is a charity."
This Hadith highlights that when a person lends money, it should be considered an act of charity rather than an opportunity for interest or usury. The emphasis on trust in financial transactions underscores the ethical dimension of Islamic economics.
The horrors of usury extend beyond the economic realm. Usury leads to the unjust exploitation of those in need, exacerbates inequality, and can result in financial ruin for individuals and families. The Quran explicitly condemns this exploitation, emphasizing the importance of fairness and equity in financial transactions. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:278-279), it is stated:
"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."
This passage not only warns against engaging in usurious practices but also states that those who persist in doing so are essentially declaring war against Allah and His Messenger. This serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of usury in the eyes of Islam.
The punishment for usury in the Hereafter, as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, is severe. The Quran speaks of Hellfire as the abode for those who engage in usurious activities. In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275), it is stated that those who persist in usury will be companions of the Fire, signifying that they will face the punishment of Hell.
Furthermore, in another Hadith reported by Ibn Majah, the Prophet Muhammad warned:
"There are seventy levels in the Hellfire, and the lowest of them is reserved for those who consume riba."
This Hadith emphasizes that those who engage in usury will be among the worst offenders and will face the lowest depths of Hellfire. It underscores the severity of the punishment for usury in the Hereafter.
In addition to the religious consequences, usury has numerous negative economic and social consequences. It can lead to cycles of debt, financial instability, and inequality. The rich become richer, while the poor become further indebted. The prohibition of usury in Islamic finance aims to create a just and equitable economic system that promotes the well-being of society as a whole.
To avoid the horrors of usury and its punishment in the Hereafter, Muslims are encouraged to engage in ethical and interest-free financial practices. Islamic finance offers alternatives such as profit-sharing (Mudarabah), equity-based financing (Musharakah), and interest-free loans (Qard al-Hasan). These financial models are designed to promote fairness, transparency, and social responsibility while adhering to the principles of Islamic ethics.
Usury, known as riba in Islam, is a grave sin that is strongly condemned in both the Quran and Hadith. The horrors of usury extend beyond the economic realm and include severe consequences in the Hereafter, with those who persist in usurious activities being condemned to the lowest levels of Hellfire. Usury is considered exploitative, unjust, and detrimental to society, and its prohibition in Islamic finance aims to establish a just and equitable economic system. Muslims are encouraged to engage in ethical and interest-free financial practices as a means to avoid the pitfalls of usury and its dire consequences in the Hereafter.