Understanding Ribā: A Hadith-Based Perspective on Usury, Financial Ethics, and Contemporary Commerce
Forty Ḥadīth on Ribā—compiled and translated by Dr. Mohammed Farid Ali Al-Fijawi together with Mohd Fariz bin Zainal Abdullah, Tawfique Al-Mubarak, Mek Wok Mahmud, and Saidatolakma bt Mohd Yunus—provides a clear, scripturally grounded examination of usury (ribā) in Islamic law.
As part of the Forty Hadith Collection Series on Contemporary Fundamental Issues in Malaysia, this work offers an essential foundation for understanding the ethical, legal, and socio-economic imperatives behind the strict prohibition of ribā.
1. Definition & Conceptual Scope
The work systematically organizes 40 authentic prophetic traditions (aḥādīth) detailing the nature, categories, and far-reaching consequences of interest-based transactions.
It clarifies the linguistic root of ribā—derived from rabā ("to grow", "to expand", or "to exceed")—and its technical fiqh definition as an unjustified excess or unlawful gain embedded in specific exchanges or loan contracts.
2. Prohibition & Moral Severity
Highlights foundational narrations illustrating the gravity of usury, including the prophetic tradition narrated by Abū Hurairah classifying ribā among the seven destructive sins (al-mūbiqāt), alongside warnings from Anas bin Mālik regarding its spiritual and societal harm.
3. Socio-Economic Equity
Emphasizes that eliminating ribā is not merely a legal restriction, but a prerequisite for establishing fair trade, preventing financial exploitation, and upholding social justice within modern economic frameworks.
4. Final Verdict
An indispensable resource for students of Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic finance practitioners, and researchers. By contextualizing core prophetic narrations, this work provides a structured, accessible guide to understanding ribā and aligning modern commerce with authentic Islamic principles.