because capital itself cannot do any work and make any effort.

because capital itself cannot do any work and make any effort. Hence the wealth of the rich man should not be increased by taking usury.” Increasing wealth by usury is the easiest form of making money but Islam forbids it. Wealth cannot be accumulated by forcing the helpless poor into further destitution; and usury does just that, causing economic imbalance and trampling upon human rights, equity and justice.

Maulana Sayyid Abul ‘Ala Maududi of Pakistan has written a comprehensive and interesting book on usury that describes its evil effects and the arguments are supported by statistics. The needy person ends up returning not only the amount loaned to him but far in excess of it. The excess can even amount to more than the principal amount if the repayment is delayed. Taking interest imposes an excruciating financial burden on one who is already needy and it is nothing short of blackmail.

Needy people should be given loans without interest. This promotes a feeling of friendship, co-operation and charity. Interest for Goodly Loans To give a loan on interest not only destroys the economic balance in the society, it also inflames the feelings of hatred, enmity and selfishness. The One Who Indulges in Usury is Deprived of Goodness There are too many disadvantages of taking interest. The earnings of one who takes interest, loses ‘Barakat’ (abundance and prosperity).

Whereas the earnings of hard labour have much ‘Barakat’. The Holy Prophet (S) says in one of his traditions: “Worship consists of seventy parts. The most important is lawful earnings.”[^1] The Prophet (S) also says: “The truthful trader shall be counted among the prophets on the Day of Judgement. His face would glow like a full moon.”[^2] The Usurer Does Not Place Trust in Allah (S.w.T.) Another misfortune of the usurer is that he loses trust in Allah (S.w.T.).

He does not pray to Allah (S.w.T.) to give him ‘Barakat’. All his hopes are pinned upon the interest that he collects from his debtors and this is polytheism as discussed in the section on ‘Shirk’. Another point to be noted is that in normal business there is a possibility of both gain and loss. So the businessman not only puts in sincere efforts but prays to Allah (S.w.T.) for success and profit in his endeavour.

An usurer has no fear of loss and feels no intuitive need to pray to Allah (S.w.T.) for his ‘Rizq’. He is thus deprived of an important facet of religion.