In the world of today with the advances of the nuclear and chemical weapons...

In the world of today with the advances of the nuclear and chemical weapons, war does not only bring death to the humans, but leaves them a caricature, sick and maimed and deformed for generations to come. The direct ill effects on the Muslim society as a result of friendship with those opposed to Islam, are also clear and evident. History has recorded that friendship with the enemies of Islam can only be bought at a price. The price in this case is to compromise.

Compromise on the tenets, the culture and the spirit of Islam, till a time comes when the country loses its identity as an Islamic society. Usury is Against Intellect and Shari’a The verse of Surah al-Baqarah which is quoted above, says that those who take usury (interest on loan) shall be counted among mad people (whom Shaitan has touched). On the Day of Judgement people will recognize them from their madness that they had been taking usury.

Their sanity would be destroyed, because in this world they have acted against intellect and Shari’a. They have been oblivious of humanity and the needs of humanity. They did not deal equitably with others and disobeyed the law of co-operation. Actually these people had been insane in the world, because they have followed the direction of Shaitan and performed such insane acts. Is Trading and Usury One and the Same? This argument is obviously foolish.

There is nothing comparable between interest and trade. There is equity in business transactions because there is a mutual agreement between the two parties and both stand to gain or lose. In trading, a seller sells an article to the buyer at a price mutually acceptable to both, and the matter ends there. But taking interest is a clearcut case of exploitation. A person with surplus money, which he does not need, lends it to someone who is in dire need.

The needy person agrees to pay interest which he can ill afford; not because it is acceptable to him but because of his compelling situation. Interest and Inequality of Classes in Society Undoubtedly, usury is an unjust and oppressive evil. It is against human nature and human dignity. It increases the riches of the wealthy and drives the impoverished to further depravation. Understandably, the exploited poor begin to hate the rich.

The pent-up hatred then finds an outlet in the form of violence and bloody revolutions. In the book “Islam and World Peace” it is written, “Islam says that earning should be only in return of efforts and work.