بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الرَّحْمَـٰنِ
الرَّحِيمِ
الْمَلِكِ
الْقُدُّوسِ
السَّلَامِ
1446 - شَوَّال الْمُكَرَّم
الْمُؤْمِنِ
الْمُهَيْمِنِ
الْعَزِيزِ
الْجَبَّارُ
الْمُتَكَبِّرُ
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Dhuhr
02:00 PM
Asr
06:30 PM
Maghrib
08:05 PM
Isha
09:45 PM
Jumu'ah
02:00 PM
Riba
ربا
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Riba (Interest/Usury) is strictly prohibited in Islam as it is seen as a form of exploitation and injustice. The Quran and Sunnah warn against Riba in the strongest terms, describing it as "war against Allah and His Messenger." In Islamic economics, money is not a commodity to be sold at a profit, but a medium of exchange. Charging interest creates a system where wealth is concentrated in the hands of the few, while the poor are trapped in debt. Islam promotes "Halal" alternatives like profit-sharing (Mudarabah) and trade, where risk is shared fairly. Avoiding Riba is essential for a Muslim to ensure that their wealth and sustenance remain pure and blessed (Mubarak) in the sight of Allah. The Quran prohibits Riba in the strongest terms: "Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity. That is because they say, 'Trade is like interest,' but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest" (2:275). The prohibition is severe, and those who persist in consuming Riba are warned of war from Allah and His Messenger. Riba includes any guaranteed increase on a loan, regardless of whether it is large or small. The Prophet said that the smallest amount of Riba is like committing adultery with one's own mother in severity. He cursed the one who consumes Riba, the one who pays it, the one who records it, and the two witnesses. The prohibition of Riba is based on the principle of justice. In a loan, the lender takes no risk but is guaranteed a return. In trade and profit-sharing, risk is shared, and profit is earned through effort and risk. This aligns with Islamic values of fairness and mutual benefit. In modern finance, avoiding Riba requires using Sharia-compliant alternatives. These include profit-sharing (Mudarabah), joint ventures (Musharakah), leasing (Ijara), and cost-plus financing (Murabaha). Islamic banks have developed these products to allow Muslims to engage in modern financial transactions without falling into Riba. Avoiding Riba is not just a personal obligation but a social one. Riba contributes to economic inequality, trapping the poor in debt and enriching the wealthy without effort. Islamic economics aims for a more equitable distribution of wealth and a system where profit is earned through real economic activity, not just through lending money. In a world where interest-based transactions are the norm, avoiding Riba requires commitment and sometimes sacrifice. But the promise of Allah is that those who leave Riba for His sake will find blessing and increase. The prohibition of Riba is a test of faith and a protection for society, ensuring that wealth is earned through effort, risk, and trade rather than through exploitation.
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