Sura al-Nasr [ sura no 110 ]

[Another opinion]

[ the last set of revelations before the Prophet’s death. Verse 281 of Sura al-Baqarah is considered to be the very last revelation which he received.]

2.Surah Al Baqarah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا ...

2: 275. Those who devour usury

C324. Usury is condemned and prohibited in the strongest possible terms. There can be no question about the prohibition.

When we come to the definition of Usury there is room for difference of opinion. 'Umar, according to Ibn Kathir, felt some difficulty in the matter, as the Prophet left this world before the details of the question were settled. This was one of the three questions on which he wished he had more light from the Prophet, the other two being Khilafah and Kalalah (see 4:12 n. 518).

Our 'Ulama, ancient and modern, have worked out a great body of literature on Usury, based mainly on economic conditions as they existed at the rise of Islam. (R).

... لاَ يَقُومُونَ إِلاَّ كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ...

will not stand except as stands one whom the Evil One by his touch hath driven to madness.

C325. An apt simile: whereas legitimate trade or industry increases the prosperity and stability of men and nations, a dependence on Usury would merely encourage a race of idlers, cruel blood-suckers, and worthless fellows who do not know their own good and are therefore akin to madmen.

... ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّمَا الْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ الرِّبَا وَأَحَلَّ اللّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا...

That is because they say: "Trade is like usury",

but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury.

C326. Owing to the fact that interest occupies a central position in modern economic life, and specially since interest is the very life blood of the existing financial institutions, a number of Muslims have been inclined to interpret it in a manner which is radically different from the understanding of Muslim scholars throughout the last fourteen centuries and is also sharply in conflict with the categorical statements of the Prophet (peace be on him).

According to Islamic teachings any excess on the capital is riba (interest). Islam accepts no distinction, insofar as prohibition is concerned, between reasonable and exorbitant rates of interest, and thus what came to be regarded as the difference between usury, and interest; not between returns on bonus for consumption and those for production purposes and so on. [Eds]

... فَمَن جَاءهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىَ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللّهِ...

Those who, after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge);

... وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُوْلَـئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿٢٧٥﴾

but those who repeat (the offence) are companions of the fire: they will abide therein (for ever).

يَمْحَقُ اللّهُ الْرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ...

2: 276. Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity:

... وَاللّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ ﴿٢٧٦﴾

for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَوُاْ الزَّكَاةَ...

2: 277. Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity,

... لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٢٧٧﴾

will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.

C327. The contrast between charity and unlawful grasping of wealth began at 2:274, where this phrase occurs as a theme. Here the theme finishes with the same phrase.

The following four verses refer to further concessions on behalf of debtors, as creditors are asked to;

a. give up even claims arising out of the past on account of usury, and

b. give time for payment of capital if necessary, or

c. to write off the debt altogether as an act of charity.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ اتَّقُواْ اللّهَ وَذَرُواْ مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٧٨﴾

2: 278. O ye who believe! fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers.

فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُواْ فَأْذَنُواْ بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ...

2: 279. If ye do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger:

C328. This is not war for opinions, but an ultimatum of war for the liberation of debtors unjustly dealt with and oppressed.

... وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُؤُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لاَ تَظْلِمُونَ وَلاَ تُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٧٩﴾

but if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums; deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.

وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ ...

2: 280. If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay.

... وَأَن تَصَدَّقُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٨٠﴾

But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew.

وَاتَّقُواْ يَوْمًا تُرْجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى اللّهِ ...

2: 281. And fear the day when ye shall be brought back to Allah.

... ثُمَّ تُوَفَّى كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لاَ يُظْلَمُونَ ﴿٢٨١﴾

Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly.

Other versions:

2: 275

Pickthall Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury)--Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.

Allazina ya'kulu_nar riba_ la_ yaqu_mu_na illa_ kama_ yaqu_mul lazi yatakhabbatuhusy syaita_nu minal mass(i), za_lika bi annahum qa_lu_ innamal bai'u mislur riba_, wa ahallalla_hul bai'a wa harramar riba_, fa man ja_'ahu_ mau'izatum mir rabbihi fantaha_ fa lahu_ ma_ salaf(a), wa amruhu_ ilalla_h(i), wa man 'a_da fa ula_'ika asha_bun na_r(i), hum fiha_ kha_lidu_n(a).

2: 276

Pickthall Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty.

Transliteration Yamhaqulla_hur riba_ wa yurbis sadaqa_t(i), walla_hu la_ yuhibbu kulla kaffa_rin asim(in).

2: 277

Pickthall 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.

Transliteration Innal lazina a_manu_ wa'amilus sa_liha_ti wa aqa_mus sala_ta wa a_tawuz zaka_ta lahum ajruhum 'inda rabbihim, wa la_ khaufun'alaihim wa la_ hum yahzanu_n(a).

2: 278

Pickthall O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah, and give up what remaineth (due to you) from usury, if ye are (in truth) believers.

Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manut taqulla_ha wa zaru_ ma_ baqiya minar riba_ in kuntum mu'minin(a).

2: 279

Pickthall And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged.

Transliteration Fa illam taf'alu_ fa'zanu_ bi harbim minalla_hi wa rasu_lih(i), wa in tubtum fa lakum ru'u_su amwa_likum, la_ tazlimu_na wa la_ tuzlamu_n(a)

2: 280

Pickthall And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know.

Transliteration Wa in ka_na zu_ 'usratin fanaziratun ila_ maisarah(tin), wa an tasaddaqu_ khairul lakum in kuntum ta'lamu_n(a).

2: 281 [ According to Asad: the very last revelation ]

Pickthall And guard yourselves against a day in which ye will be brought back to Allah. Then every soul will be paid in full that which it hath earned, and they will not be wronged.

Transliteration Wattaqu_ yauman turja'u_ fihi ilalla_h(i), summa tuwaffa_ kullu nafsim ma_ kasabat wa hum la_ yuzlamu_n(a).