Riba (Usury): Difference between revisions

'''Riba''' (ربا; lit. "increase") is a financial concept from pre-Islamic times adopted by [[Shari'ah (Islamic Law)|Islamic law]] which is similar to usurious interest. Despite generally being understood by common Muslims as referring to any form of interest whatsoever, the exact nature of Riba is not clearly outlined in Islamic [[scriptures]] and is thus widely debated among traditional Islamic scholars. In addition to contrary indications as to the meaning of Riba in scripture, there exist no [[Sahih|authentic]] [[hadith]] which attempts to define Riba in universally applicable terms, although examples are given for what constitutes Riba in the case of specific items (such as gold and wheat).<ref>{{Bukhari|3|34|382|}}</ref> <ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=Encyclopaedia of Islam|publisher=E.J. Brill|volume=8 NED-SAM|editor1=C.E. Bosworth|editor2=E. van Donzel|editor3=W.P. Heinrichs|editor4=G. Lecomte|edition=New Edition [2nd]|location=Leiden|chapter=Riba|pages=491-493|publication-date=1995|isbn=90 04 09834 8}}</ref> Nonetheless, Riba is mentioned and prohibited in grave terms by the Quran several times. In a hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Umar is reported to have said, "I wish Allah's Apostle had not left us before he had given us definite verdicts concerning three matters." One of three matters, Umar says, is the "various types of Riba".<ref>{{Bukhari|7|69|493|}}</ref>