Toggle above to switch between keyword search and direct hadith lookup
سنن ابن ماجه
Ibn Majah
كتاب التجاراتThe Chapters on Business Transactions
بَابُ : التَّغْلِيظِ فِي الرِّبَاChapter: Emphatic Prohibitions Of Usury
Hadith 2276
اُردوEn
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ ، قَالَ : " إِنَّ آخِرَ مَا نَزَلَتْ آيَةُ الرِّبَا وَإِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قُبِضَ وَلَمْ يُفَسِّرْهَا لَنَا فَدَعُوا الرِّبَا وَالرِّيبَةَ " .
´It was narrated that 'Umar bin Khattab said:` "The last thing to be revealed was the Verse on usury but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) died before he had explained it to us. So give up usury (interest) and doubtful things."
Brief Explanation
1؎: Although several verses were revealed after the verse concerning usury (riba), it is called the last in the sense that, in the chapter of transactions, no verse was revealed after it. The purpose is to clarify that the verse regarding usury is not abrogated; its ruling remains in effect until the Day of Judgment. And the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not provide a detailed explanation of it—that is, he did not expound upon the issue of usury as thoroughly as might be desired. He mentioned six items in which usury exists: gold, silver, wheat, barley, salt, and dates. He did not specify other items as to whether usury applies to them or not. However, the mujtahidun (independent jurists) have, according to their own analogical reasoning (qiyas), also considered usury to apply to other items. Now, regarding those items which the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has specified, the prohibition of usury in them is definitive; no Muslim should even approach them. As for other items in which there is a difference of opinion, piety (taqwa) dictates that one should also avoid usury in them. However, if someone becomes involved in it, he should seek forgiveness from Allah and, as much as possible, exercise caution in the future. And this is such a time that most people, while avoiding the consumption of usury, become entangled in giving it, whereas the sin of both is equal. May Allah Himself protect His servants.
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊ The rulings regarding lawful and unlawful matters, including the issues of usury (riba), were revealed at the end.
➋ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) explained usury (riba) and clearly forbade its various prevalent forms. Nevertheless, there may be some forms that are invented later, and scholars will have to use analogy (qiyas) regarding them. Therefore, scholars should examine such matters with precision and issue clear legal verdicts (fatwas).
➌ When there is a commercial transaction about which there is doubt regarding its permissibility or impermissibility, one should abstain from it until clear guidance is obtained from the scholars.
➍ One should also avoid doubtful matters in dealings other than trade.
➎ Our esteemed researcher has declared the mentioned narration weak in its chain of transmission, whereas other researchers have, based on supporting evidence, declared it authentic (sahih) or good (hasan). Furthermore, it is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari from Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) that the last verse to be revealed was regarding usury (riba). See: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Tafsir, Hadith: 4544). Therefore, from this narration and other narrations of similar meaning, it is understood that despite the mentioned narration being weak in its chain, it is still valid as evidence and actionable. For further details, see: (al-Mawsu‘ah al-Hadithiyyah, Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 1/361, and Sunan Ibn Majah with the verification of Dr. Bashar Awwad, No: 2276).
➊ The rulings regarding lawful and unlawful matters, including the issues of usury (riba), were revealed at the end.
➋ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) explained usury (riba) and clearly forbade its various prevalent forms. Nevertheless, there may be some forms that are invented later, and scholars will have to use analogy (qiyas) regarding them. Therefore, scholars should examine such matters with precision and issue clear legal verdicts (fatwas).
➌ When there is a commercial transaction about which there is doubt regarding its permissibility or impermissibility, one should abstain from it until clear guidance is obtained from the scholars.
➍ One should also avoid doubtful matters in dealings other than trade.
➎ Our esteemed researcher has declared the mentioned narration weak in its chain of transmission, whereas other researchers have, based on supporting evidence, declared it authentic (sahih) or good (hasan). Furthermore, it is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari from Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) that the last verse to be revealed was regarding usury (riba). See: (Sahih al-Bukhari, Tafsir, Hadith: 4544). Therefore, from this narration and other narrations of similar meaning, it is understood that despite the mentioned narration being weak in its chain, it is still valid as evidence and actionable. For further details, see: (al-Mawsu‘ah al-Hadithiyyah, Musnad al-Imam Ahmad: 1/361, and Sunan Ibn Majah with the verification of Dr. Bashar Awwad, No: 2276).
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 2276
