Comparative Theology · Common Ground
Charging interest is forbidden
In short
- 1.Exodus 22:25 forbids charging interest to the poor.
- 2.Ezekiel 18 lists usury among grave wrongs.
- 3.Islamic finance exists because the prohibition was kept.
The claim being examined
The Torah forbids lending at interest to the poor, and the prophets (PBUT) condemn usury.
The Islamic position
Islam prohibits riba absolutely and built a whole body of finance law around the prohibition.
Analysis
Prohibitions on interest are found in Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and the prophets (PBUT), and were maintained by the Church through the medieval period before being relaxed in the early modern era.
From the Qur'an
ٱلَّذِينَ يَأْكُلُونَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ لَا يَقُومُونَ إِلَّا كَمَا يَقُومُ ٱلَّذِى يَتَخَبَّطُهُ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ مِنَ ٱلْمَسِّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا ٱلْبَيْعُ مِثْلُ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ ۗ وَأَحَلَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ ٱلرِّبَوٰا۟ ۚ فَمَن جَآءَهُۥ مَوْعِظَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ فَٱنتَهَىٰ فَلَهُۥ مَا سَلَفَ وَأَمْرُهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ عَادَ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ أَصْحَـٰبُ ٱلنَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَـٰلِدُونَ
alladhīna yakulūna l-riba lā yaqūmūna illā kamā yaqūmu alladhī yatakhabbaṭuhu l-shayṭānu mina l-masi dhālika bi-annahum qālū innamā l-bayʿu mith'lu l-riba wa-aḥalla l-lahu l-bayʿa waḥarrama l-riba faman jāahu mawʿiẓatun min rabbihi fa-intahā falahu mā salafa wa-amruhu ilā l-lahi waman ʿāda fa-ulāika aṣḥābu l-nāri hum fīhā khālidūna
Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest.
From the Bible
If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge him no interest.
Read it in their BibleHe lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not!
Read it in their BibleSources
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