economic thought in the qur"àn and sunnah 49The second phase progressed further to state that the taking of
Ribàis forbidden and will surely be punished, as it was forbidden to
other nations and for which they were punished, “Because of their
iniquity, We forbade the Jews good things which We formerly allowed
them; because time after time they have debarred others from the
path of God; because they practice Ribà—although they were for-
bidden it—and cheat others of their possessions. We have prepared
a stern chastisement for those of them that disbelieve” (Qur"àn,
4:160, 161). Still, in these verses the reference is made indirectly to
the Jews who practiced Ribà, which God had forbidden. By refer-
ring to that example as a sign of disobedience, Muslims by impli-
cation were ordained not to do the same, and should not get involved
with Ribà. But the emphasis was still on prohibition by example.
In the third reference to Ribà, believers are instructed directly not
to ‘devour’ Ribàdoubled and multiplied, and should fear the pun-
ishment which was stated clearly as the Hell-Fire, “Believers, do not
live on Ribà, doubled and multiplied and have fear of God, so that
you may succeed in your life, and guard yourselves against Hell-Fire
that is prepared for unbelievers” (Qur"àn, 3:131, 131). The instruc-
tions at this stage are direct and the punishment for disobedience is
clear. But there may still be ambiguity related to the state of Ribà
as being only the “doubled and multiplied”. The fourth and final
reference elaborates further to eliminate any ambiguity.
The fourth stage is the clearest, the most direct and the most pun-
ishing. It: (a) explicitly forbids Ribà, (b) threatens those who lend at
Ribà with war from God and His apostle, (c) orders believers to
repent and give it up, (d) states that if they repent they can take
their money back in due time, and (e) defines what can be taken
back as, and confines it to, the loan principle Ru"aùs Amwalikum.In
explicit clarity, the verses state, “Those that live on Ribàshall rise
up before God like men whom Satan has demented by his touch;
for they claim that Ribàis like trading. But God has permitted trad-
ing and forbidden Ribà. He that receives an admonition from his
Lord and mends his ways may keep what he has already earned;
his fate is in the hands of God. But he that pays no heed shall be
assigned to Hell-Fire and shall remain in it forever. God has laid
His curse on Ribàand blessed almsgiving with increase. Believers,
have fear of God and waive what is still due to you from Ribà, if
your faith be true; or be warned of war declared against you by
God and His Messenger. If you repent, you have the right to your