Declaring war against Allah and His Messenger is a sin equal to committing adultery with one's mother, the youngest of whom is: riba

Today, getting a loan has become so easy that you can get money with interest in two minutes on attractive terms: without any collateral, without a guarantor, with low interest and a long repayment period. How nice, a solution to all your problems in an instant! But...

Allah Almighty has commanded His servants to earn a halal and pure livelihood. Today, many people, even devout Muslims, unknowingly or out of ignorance, without understanding the true meaning of riba or due to negligence, get involved in it. In particular, the widespread "installment" services on the Internet, various convenient payment terms offered on online trading platforms, and credit systems are imperceptibly drawing people into the whirlpool of riba. People, especially in this regard, do not read the terms of the agreement and sign various agreements with the suspicion that "if it is interest-free, then it is not contrary to Sharia." However, it is precisely these terms such as "installment payment" or "borrow and return it later", "interest-free loan for one month" (in fact, if it is not repaid within a month, interest begins to accrue) that may lie behind modern forms of riba in terms of jurisprudence.

Yes, the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are being echoed around us today: "There will be no one who does not consume usury, and even if he does not consume it, its dust will reach him." (Musnad Ahmad, 10739)

Today, we live in a time when even in Muslim countries, the economic system based on usury is widespread. Many people, without even realizing it, are involved in transactions such as "bank loans", "leasing", and "interest on debt repayment". This is among the sins strictly prohibited by Sharia.

At the same time, many people are turning to interest-bearing loans to get out of financial difficulties. Those who cannot repay the first loan are forced to take out a second loan. In this way, people end up living with debt on top of debt, paying a large part of their monthly salary in interest. As a result, more and more people are losing their marriages, losing peace and tranquility in their homes, quarrels between spouses are increasing, and eventually family divorces are also occurring. In many cases, people who are addicted to usury lose their homes and become in need of rent. These are only the consequences in this world, but there are even more severe sufferings in the hereafter.

Allah Almighty warns in the Holy Quran: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains of usury, if you are true believers. But if you do not, then know that war has been declared against Allah and His Messenger.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 278-279). This verse calls upon Muslims to stay away from usury. Because usury is not only an economic problem, but also a doctrinal and moral problem. Because usury leads a person to not rely on Allah, to make worldly wealth their main goal, and to not distinguish between halal and haram.

Riba hardens a person's heart, makes them lose the feeling of helping those in need, and prioritizes material gain. However, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ordered them to seek sustenance through halal trade and charity. Engaging in riba not only destroys halal sustenance, but the harm that haram wealth causes to a person is very great.

Furthermore, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Usury has more than seventy types. The least of them is like a man committing adultery with his own mother.” (Ibn Majah, 2274; Mustadrak al-Hakim, 2259 – hasan hadith).

The Quran says: “Allah destroys usury and increases charity” (Al-Baqarah, 276). That is, wealth acquired through usury is not blessed; Allah destroys it and its sin remains. However, Allah increases the wealth of the person who gives charity and blesses it.

To avoid such serious mistakes, a Muslim must regulate his financial transactions based on Sharia criteria.

It is also useful to follow the following recommendations:

1. Before signing any financial contract or agreement, research its legal validity. If necessary, consult with trusted scholars.

2. Check whether the payment systems offered to you, such as installments, loans, and leasing, comply with Islamic finance rules.

3. Try to earn your livelihood only through honest means, be patient in the face of hardship, but never resort to usury under various pretexts. Because credit has never been a solution, on the contrary, it is the cause of even greater problems.

4. Reject any income related to usury, and if you have been involved in usury before, seek forgiveness and get rid of it as soon as possible.

5. When making purchases, determine your real needs and don't get into the habit of borrowing too much.

6. Be content and patient, for they are man's greatest treasures.

7. Put your trust in Allah and seek blessings for your livelihood through charity, remembrance, and supplication.

May Allah Almighty grant us all the ability to earn a living through lawful means, and protect us and our descendants from grave sins such as usury. Amen.