Q: Globally, nationally and locally, our businesses are going through a financial downturn. The majority of businessmen are becoming despondent and concerned as financial targets and obligations cannot be met. After putting shariah compliant mechanisms in place, please pray and advise on the way forward. Situations amongst some businessmen are critical as they are forced to go the bond and bank route, becoming involved in interest. As much as one does not want to go the haraam way, there seems to be no alternative. As we seem to have reached the end of the road, please advise. Also, we will appreciate if the Ulama could advise and guide the masses in these trying times from the mimbar etc. We love you all and appreciate your favours upon the ummah.
A: The prohibition of interest is clearly and explicitly mentioned in the Noble Qur’aan. Allah Ta`ala states: “And Allah has permitted sale and prohibited riba – interest.” [1]
On the Day of Qiyaamah, the one who consumed interest will wake up in such a state of bewilderment and shock that it will seem as if he has been affected by the evil touch of Shaitaan. Allah Ta`ala speaks of this in another aayah: “Those who consumed interest will rise [on the Day of Qiyaamah] like the one who has been afflicted by the evil touch of Shaitaan.”[2]
In yet another aayah, Allah Ta`ala sounds an extremely severe warning to those who deal in interest despite understanding its evil and prohibition. Allah Ta`ala says: “If you do not do so [desist from dealing in interest] then be prepared to wage war against Allah and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).”[3]
In Surah Aal-e-Imraan, Allah Ta`ala has sounded another warning. Allah Ta`ala says: “O you who believe, do not consume interest multiplied manifold and fear Allah so that you be successful. And fear the fire (of Jahannum) which has been prepared for the disbelievers.”[4]
Commenting on this aayah, Imaam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullah Alayh) said: “This is the most fearsome aayah in the entire Qur’aan Shareef, for Allah has warned the believers of the fire of Jahannum, which has been prepared for the disbelievers, if they do not refrain from the haraam of interest.”
Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has also sounded stern warnings against those who consume riba.
Hazrat Abdullah bin Hanzalah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Consuming one dirham of riba knowingly is worse than committing zina thirty-six times.”[5]
In another Hadith, Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have mentioned: “The fire of Jahannum is more deserving for the one who nourished his body with haraam (riba).”[6]
Hazrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) cursed the one who consumes interest, pays interest, the scribe of the interest bearing deal and the witness to such a deal.”[7]
Interest outwardly seems to be a means of increase in wealth, yet in reality is a means of decrease. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “No matter how much the interest may be, it will result in decrease (of wealth).”[8]
The prohibition and severity of interest understood from the above-mentioned Aayaat and Ahaadith will undoubtedly appeal and strike sense into any understanding and intelligent individual.
When the prohibition of riba (interest) was revealed, the general Muslim public were undergoing constraints far worse than those which the present-day Muslims face. For months on end, not even a fire could be lit in the houses of many. Stones had to be tied on their bellies to fight the pangs of starvation and hunger. They did not have sufficient clothing to cover their entire bodies. Nights would be spent in darkness, for a lamp could not be lit to provide light. Their infant children would constantly cry out of hunger. Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) himself had to give his armour which he used in jihaad as collateral for the grains that he purchased from a Jew in order to provide for the needs of his blessed wives, and in this very condition did he leave this world.
The greatest solution to the present economic crisis is to inculcate contentment in our lives. Despite the severe constraints that the Muslims were facing during the era of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), Allah Ta`ala commanded Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) not to cast his gaze at the worldly riches of the kuffaar.
Involving oneself in interest will bring no benefit to an individual. In fact, it will be a means of loss and detriment, as is understood from the aforementioned Hadith wherein Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “No matter how much the interest may be, it will eventually decrease (and result in loss).”
In another Aayah of the Qur’aan, Allah Ta`ala speaks of the evil worldly consequence of interest, saying: “Allah Ta`ala obliterates riba.”[9]
Hence, a Muslim should totally refrain from dealing in interest. Muslims can never progress by means of something which Allah Ta`ala has explicitly prohibited, nor can it ever be a solution to their problems and constraints.
Adopting the ways of the kuffaar will in no way bring a person anywhere close to success.
Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) never worried about his ummat having to face poverty and financial constraints, for their purpose of life is something much greater and nobler than merely amassing worldly riches. Their purpose is pleasing Allah Ta`ala and earning maximum rewards for the hereafter.
In one Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned: “I do not fear faqr (poverty) befalling you, but I fear that the world will be spread out before you, as it was spread out before those who preceded you. Then you will compete with one another in amassing its riches, as they had competed, eventually leading to your destruction and ruin, as it had destroyed them.” [10]
Hazrat Ibnu Abbas (radhiyallahu anhuma) reported that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Whoever suffers from hunger or want and he conceals his need, Allah Ta`ala takes the responsibility of sustaining him with halaal sustenance for a whole year.”[11]
In such times of constraints and hardship, a mu’min should turn his focus and attention to Allah Ta`ala, for it is only Allah’s assistance that can rope a person out of the predicament that he is facing.
Further, one should live within his means and budget his spending. If one is really in debts, then he should request his creditors to grant him some leniency and respite. (Adapted from Fatawaa Mahmoodiyyah, vol 17)
We make dua that Allah Ta’ala guides the Ummah towards earning halaal, emulating the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and refraining from any involvement in riba (interest).
[1] وَأَحَلَّ اللَّـهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَا ﴿البقرة: ٢٧٥﴾
[2] الَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ الرِّبَا لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ الَّذِي يَتَخَبَّطُهُ الشَّيْطَانُ مِنَ الْمَسِّ ﴿البقرة: ٢٧٥﴾
[3] فَإِن لَم تَفعَلوا فَأذَنوا بِحَربٍ مِنَ اللَّـهِ وَرَسولِهِ ﴿البقرة: 279﴾
[4] يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا الرِّبَا أَضْعَافًا مُّضَاعَفَةً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿آل عمران: ١٣٠﴾
[5] عن عبد الله بن حنظلة غسيل الملائكة قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم درهم ربا يأكله الرجل وهو يعلم أشد من ستة وثلاثين زنية ( مسند أحمد # 21957)
[6] عن جابر بن عبد الله أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لكعب بن عجرة ... يا كعب بن عجرة إنه لا يدخل الجنة لحم نبت من سحت النار أولى به ( مسند أحمد # 14441)
[7] عن جابر قال لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهديه وقال هم سواء ( صحيح مسلم # 1598)
[8] عن ابن مسعود أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال الربا وإن كثر فإن عاقبته تصير إلى قل (مسند أحمد # 3754)
[9] يَمْحَقُ اللَّـهُ الرِّبَا ﴿البقرة: ٢٧٦﴾
[10] عن المسور بن مخرمة أنه أخبره أن عمرو بن عوف الأنصاري وهو حليف لبني عامر بن لؤي وكان شهد بدرا أخبره أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ... قال فأبشروا وأملوا ما يسركم فوالله لا الفقر أخشى عليكم ولكن أخشى عليكم أن تبسط عليكم الدنيا كما بسطت على من كان قبلكم فتنافسوها كما تنافسوها وتهلككم كما أهلكتهم (صحيح البخاري # 3158)
[11] عن ابن عباس قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم : من جاع أو احتاج فكتمه الناس كان حقا على الله عز و جل أن يرزقه رزق سنة من حلال ( شعب الإيمان # 10054)
Answered by: