Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمہ اللہ)
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ [البقرة: 278]
"O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers."
Furthermore, He warns:
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ [البقرة: 279]
"But if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged."
Who has the audacity to declare war against Allah and His Messenger? Allah further states:
فَمَن جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ [البقرة: 275]
"So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] – those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein."
It has been authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he cursed the one who consumes interest, gives it, records it, and those who witness it, stating that all are equal in sin.
[Sahih Muslim 1598/106]
"Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, dates for dates, barley for barley, and salt for salt—like for like, equal for equal, hand to hand. If these categories differ, then sell as you wish, as long as it is hand to hand."
[Sahih Muslim 1587/81]
This means that gold, silver, and commodities measured in weight or volume (such as wheat, dates, barley, and salt) fall under the prohibition of Riba. However, other items are not subject to this prohibition.
Thus, it is permissible to trade:✔ Two cars for one car
✔ A car for money and another item
✔ Two camels for one camel
✔ Two goats for one goat
And other similar non-Riba transactions.
The sale of tobacco – as smoking harms health and finances, making both its trade and earnings unlawful.
The sale of prohibited items – such as:
The sale of intoxicants and drugs – including alcohol and other narcotics.
Repent sincerely from this activity.
Remove the unlawfully earned portion from their wealth.
If aware of the exact haram amount, give it away (without seeking reward).
If uncertain of the amount, estimate it and dispose of it accordingly.
Reference: Ibn Uthaymeen, Noor ‘Ala al-Darb 4/230
Ruling on a Merchant Who Accumulates Wealth Through Unlawful Means
When a person earns wealth through unlawful means, it becomes obligatory upon him to repent from the actions through which he acquires illicit wealth. The greatest forbidden means of earning wealth is usury (Riba). Allah Almighty has declared Riba as forbidden in His sacred book. He states:يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ [البقرة: 278]
"O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers."
Furthermore, He warns:
فَإِن لَّمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ۖ وَإِن تُبْتُمْ فَلَكُمْ رُءُوسُ أَمْوَالِكُمْ لَا تَظْلِمُونَ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ [البقرة: 279]
"But if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you repent, you may have your principal – [thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged."
Who has the audacity to declare war against Allah and His Messenger? Allah further states:
فَمَن جَاءَهُ مَوْعِظَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِ فَانتَهَىٰ فَلَهُ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ [البقرة: 275]
"So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah. But whoever returns to [dealing in interest or usury] – those are the companions of the Fire; they will abide eternally therein."
It has been authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ that he cursed the one who consumes interest, gives it, records it, and those who witness it, stating that all are equal in sin.
[Sahih Muslim 1598/106]Understanding Interest in Transactions
Riba (interest) applies only to specific types of wealth, not to all assets. The Prophet ﷺ clearly outlined these in his hadith:"Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, dates for dates, barley for barley, and salt for salt—like for like, equal for equal, hand to hand. If these categories differ, then sell as you wish, as long as it is hand to hand."
[Sahih Muslim 1587/81]This means that gold, silver, and commodities measured in weight or volume (such as wheat, dates, barley, and salt) fall under the prohibition of Riba. However, other items are not subject to this prohibition.
Thus, it is permissible to trade:✔ Two cars for one car
✔ A car for money and another item
✔ Two camels for one camel
✔ Two goats for one goat
And other similar non-Riba transactions.
Illicit Buying and Selling
Another prohibited means of earning wealth is engaging in unlawful trade. This includes: The sale of tobacco – as smoking harms health and finances, making both its trade and earnings unlawful. The sale of prohibited items – such as:- Dogs
- Pigs
- Any other forbidden animals
The sale of intoxicants and drugs – including alcohol and other narcotics.Repentance from Unlawful Earnings
Anyone engaged in haram business should immediately: Repent sincerely from this activity. Remove the unlawfully earned portion from their wealth. If aware of the exact haram amount, give it away (without seeking reward). If uncertain of the amount, estimate it and dispose of it accordingly. Reference: Ibn Uthaymeen, Noor ‘Ala al-Darb 4/230