Why is charging interest (usury) forbidden in Islam?

Mony Deen

‏14 سبتمبر، 2013‏، الساعة ‏07:10 ص‏ · 

CHARGING INTEREST IN "LENDING"MONEY IS PROHIBITED IN WORLD RELIGIONS.

Why is charging interest (usury) forbidden in Islam?

“Why do Muslims not take loans from banks?”

So, a simple answer is that: “A Muslim is not allowed to take or give interest (usury)”[The Nobel Qur'an Surah 2 verses 188, 274-280; Surah 3 verse 130; Surah 4 verses 29, 161; Surah 9 verses 34-35, 43; Surah 30 verse 39.].

But this same is applicable to others too, especially to Hindus and Christians, as it is prohibited in their respective books to deal with interest from money (usury). This prohibition can be referred as follows in their respective texts:

Hinduism:

Manu Smriti: 11:62: Defiling a damsel, usury, breaking a vow, selling a tank, a garden, one's wife, or child
Manu Smriti: 8:152: Stipulated interest beyond the legal rate, being against (the law), cannot be recovered; they call that a usurious way (of lending); (the lender) is (in no case) entitled to (more than) five in the hundred.

Christianity:
BIBLE: Leviticus 25:36-37: Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.
BIBLE: Ezekiel 18:8: He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
BIBLE: Psalms 15:5: He that putteth not out his money to
usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Judaism

Criticism of usury in Judaism has its roots in several Biblical passages in which the taking of interest is either forbidden, discouraged or scorned and you can seen in the scripture in the following places such as Exodus 22:24-25; Leviticus 25:35-37; Deuteronomy 23:19-21; Ezekiel 18: 20; Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 15:5; Nehemiah 5:7.

Thus, there are several other matters over which we argue. So, a simple quote and reference from a proper source would end our argument, as most religions say similar things about goodness. And with this clarification, we can share our knowledge to make peace. Apart from the similarities, there are several other misunderstood facts, which are not part of Islam at all, but are prescribed by other religions.

Islam is a complete code of life which offers its own social, political and economic systems to guide human behavior in all spheres of life. History has recorded that the economic system of Islam, for the first time in the world had established social and economic justice during the period of al-Khilafah al-Rashidah. In any ideal Muslim society, socio-economic justice is considered as one of the most significant characteristics for the social, political, economic as well as all realms
of human interaction. Exploitation and any source of unjustified enrichment in Islam is
prohibited.

The Holy Qur’an has emphatically instructed Muslims not to acquire each other’s property wrongfully. Islam is not an ascetic religion. It takes a positive view of life as the natural outcome of the belief that human beings are the vicegerents of Allah(swt).

(will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied”.
(The Nobel Quran 30:39)

“That they took riba (usury), through they were forbidden and that they devoured men’s substance wrongfully – We have prepared for those among men who reject faith a grievous punishment”
(The Nobel Quran 4:161)

“O ye who believe! Devour not usury doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah, that ye may (really) prosper.” (The Nobel Quran 3:140)

“Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the evil one by his touch hath driven to madness. That is because they say: ‘Trade is like usury.’ But Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge). But those who repeat (the offence) are companions of the fire, they will abide therein(forever)”
(The Nobel Quran 2:275)

“O you who have attained faith! Remain conscious of God, and give up all outstanding gains from Usury, if you are (truly) believers”
(The Nobel Quran 2: 278)

In the commentary on the Holy Qur’an mentioned that usury is condemned and prohibited in the strongest possible terms.