RIBA: THE TYRANNY OF INFLATED VALUE IN THE QUR’AN
💰 RIBA: THE TYRANNY OF INFLATED VALUE IN THE QUR’AN
1️⃣ WHAT IS RIBA? ONLY INTEREST?
In the Qur’an, riba is not limited to bank interest. It means unearned increase, inflation, or unnatural growth. The Arabic root ر ب و (r-b-w) means “to swell, to rise.”
📖 Example:
“When you look at the earth, you see it lifeless; then, when We send down water upon it, it stirs, swells (rabat), and produces every kind of beautiful growth.” (Hajj 22:5)
Even soil, when it swells, produces life only if it is full within. Riba seems inflated but lacks real productivity. Thus the Qur’an says:
“Allah destroys riba but increases charity.” (Baqarah 2:276)
🌪️ Riba is a hollow growth—destined for destruction by God.
2️⃣ APPARENTLY TRADE, ACTUALLY OPPRESSION
“They say, ‘Trade is like riba.’ But Allah has permitted trade and forbidden riba.” (Baqarah 2:275)
According to the Qur’an, riba masquerades as legitimate trade but is actually:
-
Unearned profit
-
Unjust increase
-
One-sided exploitation
💡 Modern examples of riba:
-
Housing prices inflated through low interest rates
-
Price hikes tied to currency fluctuation
-
Selling worthless goods at exorbitant profit margins
3️⃣ GOLD & SILVER: TRUE MEASURES OF VALUE
The Qur’an uses gold and silver as examples of wealth because:
💎 They hold intrinsic value
⚖️ They are measurable
🤲 They serve as reference for zakat and debts
“Those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah—give them tidings of a painful punishment.” (Tawbah 9:34)
📉 Today’s digital and paper money systems are prone to manipulation, making riba easier.
4️⃣ RIBA = OPPRESSION
“If you repent, you may retain your principal—do not wrong, nor be wronged.” (Baqarah 2:279)
⚖️ This verse highlights a two-way principle of justice:
“Do not oppress” → Do not take more than your capital
“Do not be oppressed” → Reclaim only what is rightfully yours
📌 Riba is not just a personal sin but a systemic economic injustice.
5️⃣ MODERN EXAMPLES OF RIBA
| Application | Riba Element |
|---|---|
| Interest-based loans | Unearned profit, fixed surplus |
| Price gouging | Artificial price inflation |
| Currency speculation | Profit from money, not goods |
| Guaranteed rent sales | Surplus gain tied to collateral |
6️⃣ THE DEEP REASON FOR RIBA PROHIBITION
The Qur’an prohibits riba to:
🌍 Preserve social justice
❤️ Protect the spirit of mutual aid
🛑 Maintain trust and balance in society
“Allah destroys riba but increases charity.” (Baqarah 2:276)
Charity revives a society; riba decays it from within.
7️⃣ THE DEMONIC NATURE OF RIBA
“Those who consume riba will not stand except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into madness. This is because they say, ‘Trade is like riba.’” (Baqarah 2:275)
👿 Standing like one struck by Satan = Loss of mental balance
🎭 Riba is a cognitive distortion that masks haram as halal.
8️⃣ THE GRAVITY OF RIBA’S PROHIBITION
“If you do not give up riba, then be informed of a war from Allah and His Messenger.” (Baqarah 2:278)
⚠️ This verse declares that engaging in riba is not only immoral but also an act of rebellion against God’s order.
9️⃣ RIBA BRINGS NO BLESSING
“Whatever you lend out in riba to gain increase, it will not increase with Allah. But whatever you give as zakat, seeking Allah’s pleasure—it is they who will get manifold increase.” (Rum 30:39)
📉 Riba = Inflated but unblessed gain
📈 Charity = Real and lasting increase
🔚 CONCLUSION: JUSTICE IS THE SOUL OF TRADE
According to the Qur’an, lawful profit must be:
✅ Earned through effort
✅ Subject to risk
✅ Mutual and fair
Whereas riba is:
❌ Effortless
❌ Inflated
❌ Rooted in injustice
🧠 A believer should ask of every gain:
“Is this income based on real work, or am I exploiting someone’s vulnerability?”
✍️ IN SUMMARY:
📌 Riba is not just interest—it is a system of inflated injustice.
📌 True measure: gold, silver, justice, and effort.
📌 The Qur’an replaces this unjust system with charity, sharing, and fairness.
“If you are truly believers, give up what remains of riba.” (Baqarah 2:278)
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