In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

Verse Defining Ar-Riba

Verse 30:39

'And what you give out to gain profit thereon out of the rightful possessions/properties of others, it is not a rightful profit/gain in Allah's sight. And what you give out as charity seeking Allah's pleasure, that will fetch an increase manifold!'

Whereas the latter part of the Verse defines Charity as that given out to others just to seek Allah's pleasure, the earlier part defines a seeking of profit with which Allah is displeased. It is the profit that is sought to be made by usurping what rightfully belongs to others. The Arabic word ربا (Riba) is used, here, in its ordinary sense of increase or profit, but such increase or profit that Allah is displeased with is invariably referred to as الربا (Ar-Riba) in other Verses of the Qur'aan.

This Verse, therefore, thus becomes the defining Verse for الربا (Ar-Riba).

Please refer to my book ISLAM & INTEREST for a comprehensive study on Ar-Riba.

Mohammad Shafi

31^st May 2022.