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.
Other versions:
2: 275
Yusuf Ali Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands 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).
Pickthall Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he arise whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permit trading and forbid usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refrain (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who return (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
Yusuf Ali Allah will deprive usury of all blessing but will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.
Pickthall Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty.
Yamhaqulla_hur riba_ wa yurbis sadaqa_t(i), walla_hu la_ yuhibbu kulla kaffa_rin asim(in).
7. Sura al-Araf
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
وَنَادَى
أَصْحَابُ
الأَعْرَافِ
رِجَالاً
يَعْرِفُونَهُمْ
بِسِيمَاهُمْ...
7: 48. The men on the heights will call to certain men whom they will know from their marks,
...قَالُواْ مَا أَغْنَى عَنكُمْ جَمْعُكُمْ وَمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ﴿٤٨﴾
saying: "Of what profit to you were you hoards and your arrogant ways?
C1027. This speech is in three parts:
1. the last lines of this verse are addressed to the Companions of the Fire, reminding them (as a bench of judges might speak to a prisoner) of the futility of their wealth and riches and arrogance in their earthly life:
2. the second part, in the first half of verse 49, recalls to their minds how false was their contempt of the good but lowly men who are now to be the inheritors of heaven: and
3. the latter part of verse 49, "enter ye the Garden" is addressed to the Blessed, to give them a welcome to their state of felicity.
أَهَـؤُلاء
الَّذِينَ
أَقْسَمْتُمْ
لاَ يَنَالُهُمُ
اللّهُ بِرَحْمَةٍ...
7: 49. "Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with His mercy would never bless?
...ادْخُلُواْ الْجَنَّةَ لاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلاَ أَنتُمْ تَحْزَنُونَ ﴿٤٩﴾
Enter ye the garden:
no fear shall be on you, nor shall ye grieve."
وَنَادَى
أَصْحَابُ
النَّارِ أَصْحَابَ
الْجَنَّةِ
أَنْ أَفِيضُواْ
عَلَيْنَا مِنَ
الْمَاء أَوْ
مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ
اللّهُ...
7: 50. The companions of the fire will call to the companions of the garden;
"Pour down to us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your sustenance."
...قَالُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ حَرَّمَهُمَا عَلَى الْكَافِرِينَ ﴿٥٠﴾
They will say:
"Both these things hath Allah forbidden to those who rejected Him.
C1028. The Companions of the Fire will thirst for water and not get it, and for sustenance which will not be theirs, while the Companions of the Garden will have the crystal waters of the springs and rivers and they will enjoy the bliss of Allah's Countenance, which will be their supreme nourishment and the fruit of their life of probation and seeking. These things will not be transferable.
Cf. also 37:41-47, 62-67. (R).
Other versions:
7: 48
Asad And they who [in life] has possessed this faculty of discernment will call out to those…….”What has your amassing [of wealth] availed you, and all the false pride of your past?”
Yusuf Ali The men on the heights will call to certain men whom they will know from their marks saying: "Of what profit to you were you hoards and your arrogant ways?
Pickthall And the dwellers on the Heights call unto men whom they know by their marks, (saying): What did your multitude and that in which ye took your pride avail you?
Transliteration Wa na_da_ asha_bul a'ra_fi rija_lay ya'rifu_nahum bi sima_hum qa_lu_ ma_ agna_ 'ankum jam'ukum wa ma_ kuntum tastakbiru_n(a).
[[ Ruby’s comment – I disagree with Asad here: this faculty of discernment is given to everyone, each human being, whether they use it or not that is a different question. I do not know this meaning of the word “araf” is appropriate here or not. ]]
7: 49
Yusuf Ali "Behold! are these not the men whom you swore that Allah with his mercy would never bless? Enter ye the garden: no fear shall be on you nor shall ye grieve."
Pickthall Are these they of whom ye swore that Allah would not show them mercy? (Unto them it hath been said): Enter the Garden. No fear shall come upon you nor is it ye who will grieve.
Transliteration Aha_'ula_'il lazina aqsamtum la_ yana_luhumulla_hu bi rahmah(tin), udkhulul jannata la_ khaufun 'alaikum wa la_ antum tahzanu_n(a).
7: 50
Yusuf Ali The companions of the fire will call to the companions of the garden; "pour down to us water or anything that Allah doth provide for your sustenance." They will say: "Both these things hath Allah forbidden to those who rejected Him.
Pickthall And the dwellers of the Fire cry out unto the dwellers of the Garden; Pour on us some water or some of that where with Allah hath provided you. They say: Lo! Allah hath forbidden both to disbelievers (in His guidance),
Transliteration Wa na_da_ asha_bun na_ri asha_bal jannati an afidu_ 'alaina_ minal ma_'i au mimma_ razaqakumulla_h(u), qa_lu_ innalla_ha harramahuma_ 'alal ka_firin(a).
9. Surah At Tawbah
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ...
9: 34. O ye who believe!
إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الأَحْبَارِ وَالرُّهْبَانِ لَيَأْكُلُونَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ بِالْبَاطِلِ...
there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites, who in false hood devour the substance of men
C1291. Bil-batili: in falsehood. i.e., by false means, pretences, or in false or vain things.
This was strikingly exemplified in the history of Mediaeval Europe. Though the disease is apt to attack all peoples and organizations at all times. Priests got rich by issuing indulgences and dispensations; they made their office a stepping stone to worldly power and possessions.
Even the Monastic Orders, which took vows of poverty for individuals grew rich with corporate property, until their wealth became a scandal, even among their own nations.
...وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللّهِ...
and hinder (them) from the way of Allah.
...وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلاَ يُنفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ...
And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah:
C1292. Misuse of wealth, property, and resources is frequently condemned, and in three ways:
1. do not acquire anything wrongfully or on false pretences;
2. do not hoard or bury or amass wealth for its own sake but use it freely for good, whether for yourself or for your neighbors; and
3. be particularly careful not to waste it for idle purposes, but only so that it may fructify for the good of the people.
...فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ ﴿٣٤﴾
announce unto them a most grievous penalty.
يَوْمَ يُحْمَى
عَلَيْهَا فِي
نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ
فَتُكْوَى بِهَا
جِبَاهُهُمْ
وَجُنوبُهُمْ
وَظُهُورُهُمْ...
9: 35. On the day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of hell, and with it will be branded their foreheads, their flanks, and their backs,
C1293. Gold and silver, symbolizing wealth which these people cherished even more than the good pleasure of their Lord, will not only be the cause but the instrument whereby they would receive a grievous punishment. (Ed.).
...هَـذَا مَا كَنَزْتُمْ لأَنفُسِكُمْ ...
"This is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves:
C1294. The voice enforces the moral:
"did you expect satisfaction or salvation from the treasures that you misused?
Behold! they add to your torment!"
... فَذُوقُواْ مَا كُنتُمْ تَكْنِزُونَ ﴿٣٥﴾
taste ye, then, the (treasures) ye buried!"
Other versions:
9: 34
Asad ………many of the rabbis and monks do indeed wrongfully devour men’s possessions and turn [others] away from the path of God.
But as for all who lay up treasures of gold and silver and do not spend them for the sake of God [note 51] – give them the tiding of grievous suffering [in the life to come]
Yusuf Ali O ye who believe! there are indeed many among the priests and anchorites who in falsehood devour the substance of men and hinder (them) from the way of Allah. And there are those who bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah: announce unto them a most grievous penalty.
Pickthall O ye, who believe! Lo! many of the (Jewish) rabbis and the (Christian) monks devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar (men) from the way of Allah. They who hoard up gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, unto them give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom.
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ inna kasiram minal ahba_ri war ruhba_ni laya'kulu_na amwa_lan na_si bil ba_tili wa yasuddu_na 'an sabililla_h(i), wallazina yaknizu_naz zahaba wal fiddata wa la_ yunfiqu_naha_ fi sabililla_h(i), fa basysyirhum bi 'aza_bin alim(iy);
[[ Asad’s note 51 - ………….the reference is wider, comprising all people, including Muslims, who hoard their wealth without spending anything thereof on righteous causes.]]
9: 35
Asad on the Day when that shall be heated in the fire of hell and their foreheads and their sides and their backs branded therewith, “These are the treasures which you have laid up for yourselves! Taste, then your hoarded treasures!”
Yusuf Ali On the day when heat will be produced out of that (wealth) in the fire of hell and with it will be branded their foreheads their flanks and their backs "this is the (treasure) which ye buried for yourselves: taste ye then the (treasures) ye buried!"
Pickthall On the day when it will (all) be heated in the fire of hell, and their foreheads and their flanks and their backs will be branded therewith (and it will be said unto them): Here is that which ye hoarded for yourselves. Now taste of what ye used to hoard.
Transliteration Yauma yuhma_ 'alaiha_ fi na_ri jahannama fa tukwa_ biha_ jiba_huhum wa junu_buhum wa zuhu_ruhum, ha_za_ ma_ kanaztum li anfusikum fa zu_qu_ ma_ kuntum taknizu_n(a).