Date post: | 10-Apr-2018 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | halima-jibir |
View: | 219 times |
Download: | 0 times |
of 23
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
1/23
OriginalOriginal Arabic text titledArabic text titled Saraabun Khaadi,'Saraabun Khaadi,' a pamphleta pamphlet
published bypublished by Daru-Ibn-al-KhuzaimahDaru-Ibn-al-Khuzaimah, Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia, Riyadh, Saudi-Arabia
Translation:Translation:
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
2/23
Halima JibirHalima Jibir
Halima Jibir
First Published 2002.
Kaduna Nigeria.
I dedicate this work to the policy-makers within all Islamic societies.
No prior permission is required for free distribution as long as the contents
remain the same. Please reproduce and redistribute so that the Muslim and
the Islamic community may know of the absolute danger to the individual
and society ofriba and riba-mongering.
Halima Jibir
Kaduna
Jumada-Ula 1423/July 2002
2
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
3/23
In the Name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful. All
Praise is to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and
Blessings upon the prophet, Muhammad, and upon his
family and companions.
In modern times a lot of Muslims have relegated the fact of
the hereafter to the backstage. They have gone, instead, all
out for this world so much so that to gather and accumulate
wealth in whatever circumstance has taken control of their
hearts and mind. This has become the most important goal
in their lives and the end of their knowledge. Everything the
hands happen to get hold of, or the body happens to touch is
considered halaal even if indeed haraam. That only is
denoted haraam, which cannot be gotten hold of. All that
such attitude denotes is a clear lack of Fear of Allah in the
hearts of men, and a flagrant disregard of the religion of
Allah Most High.
Associating with Riba (usury) is one such haraam taken
so much for granted. Riba is that wealth ofharaam, which
3
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
4/23
whoever takes it with the notion that its halaal, has gone
out of the fold of Islam - a kaafir - may Allah forbid. This is
because, the fact that riba is haraam is one fundamental law
that should not escape the Muslim.
Allah says in the Quran:
((Those who gorge themselves on usury will not stand
(on the day of Reckoning) except as he may stand
whom shaitan has confounded with his touch. That is
because they say: Trade is just the same as usury,
But Allah has made trade lawful and usury forbidden.
He who receives an admonition from his Lord and
thereupon desists (from usury) may retain his past
gains and Allah shall be his ultimate Judge. Those
who revert to the practice (of usury) are indeed the
inmates of the fire, wherein they shall abide. Allah
blots out usury and makes charitable offerings grow
and increase, Allah does not love confirmed
disbelievers who persist in wrong doing))
4
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
5/23
Note the testimony upon those who revert to the
practice (of usury), havingknown and comprehended the
verdict declared by Allah Most High on the practice of usury:
these are indeed the inmates of the fire wherein they
shall abide.
Allah Most High says again:
((O you who believe, fear Allah and give up what
remains outstanding of usury gains, if indeed you are
believers. If you do not, then take notice of war from
Allah and His Messenger. If you repent, however, you
shall remain entitled to your principal. You shall
commit no wrong, nor suffer any wrong yourselves.
-------And fear a day when you shall return to Allah.
Then shall every soul be paid in full for what it had
earned and none shall be wronged))1
1 Surah Baqara; 274-281
5
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
6/23
Allah Most High has not declared a war against the
perpetrator of any evil as He has declared against the one
who devour riba.
The prophet, peace upon him, had indeed made clear the
fact about riba. He, peace upon him, had revealed the
ugliness and repulsive nature ofriba, which would make the
true Believer in Allah and the Last Day distance himself well
far away from riba, when he said:
Riba is made up of seventy-two different varieties, the least
of which is like the case of a man having sexual intercourse
with his Mother
How indeed ugly! Is any more admonition necessary for the
one who has true faith and Inner Wisdom?
The fact is that riba has gone far beyond all forms ofzina in
ugliness and prohibition. This, despite all thatzina entails of
undermining ones faith and state of life in general. Zina
involves a great betrayal of trust, and leads to dampened
character, immodesty, and results in confused lineage
6
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
7/23
against the offspring of such act. Again the penalty for zina
is stoning to death, or strokes of the cane plus
abandonment, depending on whether the case is fornication
or adultery. An onward consequence of seething skin in a
roaring furnace is the punishment in the hereafter. Despite
the resultant punishment, the Prohibition and Offence
attached to even a small quantity riba far exceeds that
which is attached tozina. The prophet, peace upon him, has
said:
One dir-ham (kobo) of riba consumed by a man (woman)
while he knows it to be riba is a greater offence with Allah
than thirty-six acts of adultery by a Muslim. (Ahmad)
If this is about one dir-ham, then what about those who
consume thousands, nay Millions!
Riba is a dirty gain, forbidden, and an empty gain consisting
of no good or blessing. But instead causes harm and decline
to the benefits of religion and life in general, both in the
present and the future.
7
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
8/23
The evils of riba affect all who get involved in such
transaction, from those who benefit directly, to those who
offer services for the transaction to be accomplished, and
those who merely assist or even just are comfortable with
the transaction. To be involved in such transactions is to give
support to a rebellious illegitimate transaction whose main
reality is, actually a confrontation and a battle-ready stance
against Allah and His Messenger (peace upon him), coupled
with absolute impiety against servants of Allah. This is the
fact of the deal, its evil is certainly wide and tremendous, its
consequence no doubt overwhelming and excruciating, both
on the individual and the society as a whole. The society at
large, which condones riba, refusing to make amends at
such would be seen to suffer the prevailing consequences of
riba, as does the individual:
1. Acts of Charity would not be accepted from the one
who devours riba. This is because the source is dirty:
8
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
9/23
((---And do not aim at the dirty source, giving
charity out of it----))2
Verily Allah is Good, He accepts only that which is
good3
2. Allah does not answer the prayer of the one who
devours riba:
Make your source of living good, you are the one whose
prayer is answered
3. Blessings get ripped up from the life and earnings of
the one who devours riba.
((Allah blots out riba and makes charitable
offerings grow and increase))
4. To devour riba is to enter into war with Allah and His
Messenger, peace upon him:
((---If you do not, then take notice of war from
Allah and His Messenger---))4
2Surah Baqara; 267
3Muslim
4Surah Baqara; 279
9
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
10/23
5. The one who devours riba has caused upon himself the
curse of Allah and His Messenger, peace upon him.
Curse here means, to be flung far away from the
territories of Mercy. Jabir was reported to have said:
The prophet, peace upon him, has cursed the one
who benefits directly from riba, the one who gives it,
the one who writes it, the one who is a witness to it;
while adding that they all bear the same burden.5
6. To devour riba is one reason that results in a bad
ending (i.e. of life). This is because therere sins, which
strip a person of his faith. Riba is one of such sin. It
comes to haunt a person at his deathbed so that his
farewell from life and his meeting with his Lord is
haunted by riba: a disobedience to Allah and His
Messenger, a rebellious stance against Allah and a
wrong against His servants. The person leaves the
5Muslim
10
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
11/23
world in the worst of conditions to face the worst of
ending.
7. A hadith has it that the one who devours riba shall
begin to suffer the evil of his deed in the grave. He shall
be made to swim in a river of blood with his mouth full
of stones. Pieces of stone are thrown into his mouth
each time he attempts to escape. Furthermore, on the
day of Reckoning, he shall rise from the grave as does
the Epileptic:
((Those who gorge themselves on usury will
not stand (on the day of Reckoning) except
as he may stand whom shaitan has
confounded with his touch))
The condition could be interpreted to be because of the
suffering they had encountered in the grave due to the
evils ofriba.
8. The person who dies while still involved in riba belongs
with the hellfire. Allah says in the Quran:
11
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
12/23
((Those who revert to the practice (of usury) are
indeed the inmates of the fire, wherein they shall
abide))
The above consequences are enough admonishment to make the
Muslim, sincere in his Iman distance himself away from anything
riba. The one whose motive is to be cleansed of riba should as of
necessity put his complete trust in Allah, knowing that indeed
Allah shall make his task easy by the virtue of his sincerity of
intention. Note the verse, which says:
((-----And for the one who fears Allah, He sets a way out
for him.))6
And also note the hadith, which says:
The one who leaves something for the sake ofAllah, Allah
compensates for that person with something better.7
6Talaaq; 02.
7Sahih
12
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
13/23
And then bring to light the fact that there are many other ways,
halaal, on which to build wealth. Its not by riba alone wealth can
multiply. Its important to earn halaal even if that halaal is
considered small in the eyes, for indeed, halaal is always better in
value than haraam however the massiveness ofharaam:
((Say: Not equal are things that are bad and things that
are good, even though the abundance of the bad may
dazzle you,-----))
Its incumbent upon the Muslim, who is true in his faith and
guards well his faith, to certainly look for lawful ways to build his
wealth. The Muslim must refuse to be lured into unlawfuldealings
in pursuit of increasing his wealth. The Muslim should instead
learn to be content with the provision Allah has given him as his
share. It should be remembered that all good and comfort
enjoyed as a result ofharaam earnings would soon be forgotten
with the first pang of death. The wise Muslim understands this
very well. He goes far away from all that is haraam. He does not
allow the love for wealth to make him forget his Lord, his faith, his
13
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
14/23
purpose in life, and his ultimate end. The wise Muslim knows that
whatever he feels he is, he would not be able to stand the
punishment from Allah. All conceit and stubbornness on the
wrong should therefore be checked.
EXAMPLES OF SOME RIBA-BASED DEALINGS RAMPANT IN
MODERN TIMES
A lot many people in modern times do get involved in riba-based
deals ignorantly at times but deliberately at other times. Among
such deals are:
1. Loans received (given) with interest: e.g., where the lender
borrows out =N=1000 now to be paid back at a future time
as =N=1200.
2. Loan given without interest to be redeemed at a particular
period. On the expiration of this period, grace period is
granted but on the condition of interest added to the original
value of the loan.
14
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
15/23
3. Credit cards, like visa and the rest, where the bank receives
interest depending on the value of the card. The fact that
the card-holder agrees, by commission or omission, to pay
interest on failing to settle his bills on time is also a way of
giving support and agreeing to riba, which is haraam. Even if
indeed no payment of interest is subsequently made, the
fact that suchhas been consented to right at the beginning
of the agreement is enough haraam.
4. EenahTrading: This is the case where a person goes to buy
a certain commodity from the market for no other reason
than to sell money for more money (riba). He offers to sell
this commodity to someone seeking loan from him, someone
who doesnt indeed have the money to buy the commodity.
By nothing more than word of mouth the borrower agrees to
buy the commodity at, say, =N=1000. Now the Lender
comes back, offers and agrees to buy the same commodity
at, say, =N=800. No money has exchanged hands so far. But
now the borrower agreeing to sell something he really does
not own receives cash of =N=800 from the lender and also
agrees to pay back the =N=1000 he had initially bought the
15
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
16/23
commodity by word of mouth. This type of trading is
classified riba and is haraam.
5.To buy or sell shares of riba-based banks or shares of
companies and/or organizations, which derive their earnings
from riba-oriented businesses.
6. To open and maintain Bank accounts in riba-based banks,
and to receive interests from such.
Its mandatory upon every Muslim who believes in Allah and the
last day to really beware and therefore guard himself/herself from
riba. Its mandatory that the Muslim does not go into any cash
dealings without seeking to find out the true position of things, in
the Islamic perspective, from those who truly have the
knowledge. It should be established whether the dealing lies with
halaal or haraam. To do such ensues that one does not fall into
haraam while he knows not.
RULING REGARDING WORKING AT Riba (INTEREST)-BASED
BANKS
16
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
17/23
A lot of people who work at riba-based banks are at a loss and
confused about the situation. They receive a number of untrue,
doubtful and, sometimes, manipulative ideas that make them to
assume that their work in these banks is not haraam. It is
necessary for the one who works in such banks to seek and
search for the truth if indeed he wants the truth. Below is a
special Ruling (fataawaa) on the subject by the Permanent
Council on Fatawaa and Research (Saudi-Arabia) under the
distinguished chairmanship of Sheikh Abdul-Azeez bn Baaz:
Indeed the majority of transactions in the present-
day banks revolve around riba, and riba is haraam
by the words of the Quran and the sunnah and by
consensus agreement of the Islamic community.
The prophet, on whom be peace, had indeed issued
a curse upon all persons who participate in any riba
transaction. This hadith is as reported by Muslim
and others, that Jabir said:
The prophet, on whom be peace, had cursed the
one who devours riba, the one who gives it, the one
17
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
18/23
who writes it, and the one who participated as
witness, adding that all of them are the same
Those people who work in banks are indeed helpers
to the lords of the banks for the fact that they man
the jobs of drafting, certification, witnessing,
transferring papers from one place to another,
receiving/giving out cash etc. All these are jobs that
signify assistance and support to the real riba
mongers.
It is clear from the hadith that indeed to work in
interest-based banks is haraam. The Muslim should
indeed avoid such work, and seeks livelihood
elsewhere, from the variety of other means made
available and halaalby the Mercy of Allah, Glorified
and Exalted. The Muslim should fear Allah, his Lord
and Cherisher Most High, and avoid putting himself
on the line cursed by Allah and His Messenger.
Its obvious from the statement that to work in the traditional
interest-based banks is haraam. One should not therefore try to
18
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
19/23
condone that no other work is available or that the pay in the
banks is higher. These are flimsy excuses from the web of the
Shaitan. Indeed a lot other means of livelihood are available and a
job doesnt have to be a white-collar job. Its necessary that one
looks for a means of livelihood that is halaal however mean it may
appear against a bank job, or however more tasking physically.
Fault lies in what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden and not
what the human being is arrogant or greedy about. Where a work
that is halaal is difficult to come by, still that is no excuse to
indulge in haraam. The Muslim is expected to be patient and
remain calm, and to continue to seek for only halaal. Indeed in
the difficulty the Muslim encounters is a trial of faith from Allah
Most High in order to confirm the truth of his faith and the
strength of the trust he has in the Lord Most High. It is likely that
on the aftermath of the trial of faith, a halaal and most satisfying
job gets to be secured. This is a blessing as a result of the strong
faith and perseverance against haraam.
To starve to death is indeed a better alternative than to deal in
riba. Hunger at worst ends in death, while riba is a fire and a long-
standing chastisement that is beyond shading-off. And, No, never
19
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
20/23
will starvation be the end of the one who leaves riba in obedience
to Allah, for Allah says:
((--And for the one who fears Allah, He sets a way out for
him. And provides for him from (sources) he never could
imagine,-))8
And the prophet, may he be blessed, says:
The one who leaves something for the sake ofAllah, Allah
compensates for that person with something better.9
The promise of Allah always comes to pass. That person knows
who sincerely accepts the Pledge from Allah Most High.
Patience/Discipline is the keyword. The servant of Allah shall not
regret taking in halaal but shall regret immensely if he allows
haraam to enter his belly, and his regret might be too late!
May Allah guide us to all that, which he loves and accepts. May
Allah enrich us by His halaal against that which He has declared
haraam. Allah is the One who advocates such and is capable to
8Talaaq; 02-03.
9Sahih
20
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
21/23
cause it to happen. Allah knows Best. Peace and Blessings of
Allah upon the prophet, Muhammad.
21
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
22/23
The prophet, peace upon him, has cursed the
one who benefits directly from riba, the one who
gives it, the one who writes it, the one who is a
witness to it; while adding that they all bear the
same burden.10
One dir-ham (kobo) of riba consumed by a man
(woman) while he knows it to be riba is a greater
offence with Allah than thirty-six acts of adultery by a
Muslim. (Ahmad)
It should be remembered that all good and comfort enjoyed as aIt should be remembered that all good and comfort enjoyed as a
result ofresult of haraamharaam would soon be forgotten with the first pang ofwould soon be forgotten with the first pang of
death.death.
10Muslim
22
8/8/2019 The Deceiving Mirage
23/23
The wise Muslim does not allow the love for wealth to make himThe wise Muslim does not allow the love for wealth to make him
forget his Lord, Most High, his faith, his purpose in life, and hisforget his Lord, Most High, his faith, his purpose in life, and his
ultimate end.ultimate end.