The Importance of the Prohibition of Riba in Islam
Imran N. Hosein
The author is Director of Islamic
Studies, Joint Committee of Mulsim Organizations of Greater New York.
Anas (RAA) said that he heard the
Messenger of Allah (SAW) say: "Among the signs of the Last Hour will be
the removal of knowledge and the abundance of ignorance ..."
(Bukhari, Muslim)
There is widespread ignorance amongst Muslims
in this age concerning the subject of the prohibition of riba in Islam. And yet
it appears to us from New York, the riba capital of the world, that there is,
perhaps, no other subject more important than this to which Muslims should be
directing urgent attention, for it is here that the fiercest attack of all has
been launched by the enemies of Allah (SWT). The widespread ignorance
concerning the prohibition of riba is most certainly a confirmation of that
sign of the Last Hour spoken of by Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Any attempt to demonstrate the
importance of the prohibition of riba in Islam ought to be based upon the two
basic sources of Islam, the word of Allah (SWT) and the word of the Prophet
(SAW). The Prophet (SAW) had, earlier in the day of Friday the 9th, of Dhu
al-Hijjah 10 A.H., delivered the khutbah alwida' in which, among other things, he
enforced the prohibition of riba retroactively. He thus completed the process of the total
eradication of riba from the economy and society over which Islam exercised control.
Then, at about the time of asr of that same day, Allah (SWT) sent down the Revelation
announcing the essential completion of the process of Revelation of Divine guidance
to humanity:
This day have those who disbelieve given
up hope of (destroying) your Deen. So fear them not. Rather fear Me. This day have
I perfected for you your Deen, and completed My favor unto you, and have chosen
for you as your Deen al-Islam (i.e., submission to the Supreme Will of Allah).
(Al-Maa'ida 5:3)
It certainly appeared as though the
process of Divine Revelation of the verses of the Qur'an had come to an end. And
yet this was not so. Some eighty-one days after the Revelation of the above verse
the Prophet (SAW) died.
Shortly before his death, however, Allah
(SWT) sent down the last Revelation with which He completed the Revelation of the
Qur'an. In fact that last Revelation also terminated the process of the Revelation
of Divine guidance which had commenced with our father Adam (AS), and had lasted
for thousands of years. There can be no doubt that the topic chosen for the last
Revelation must be one of supreme importance. What was the last Revelation?
To Be Continued....
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