Riba is one of the most strictly prohibited things in Islam. It is prohibited not only because of its economic aspects, but also because riba is considered oppressive and creates injustice in human relationships. In the modern era, riba has become more subtle and sometimes difficult to recognize. Many people unknowingly engage in riba because they consider it normal or “just a small amount of interest.” In fact, behind these seemingly insignificant numbers lies a heavy moral and spiritual burden.
Islam views riba as an act that violates economic justice. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT says:
“Those who consume riba cannot stand except as one possessed by Satan because of madness. That is because they say, ‘Indeed, selling and buying are the same as riba,’ while Allah has made selling and buying lawful and has made riba unlawful.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 275)
This verse explains that usury is not merely a misguided economic practice, but a grave sin that erases the blessings of wealth. In everyday life, riba can take many forms, whether in financial transactions, personal loans, or a consumptive lifestyle that leads to dependency.
Usury in Conventional Loans
The most obvious example of usury is the interest system in money lending. When someone borrows a sum of money and is then asked to repay more than they borrowed due to the time or service of the loan, that additional amount is called usury. For example, someone borrows Rp10 million and is asked to repay Rp11 million within a month. The additional Rp1 million is a form of riba nasi’ah, which is an addition due to a delay in payment. This practice is very common in conventional financial institutions.
For some people, interest is considered normal or even a “service fee.” However, Islam views such profits as only permissible through sales contracts or real investments, not from taking advantage of other people’s difficulties. Usury creates an imbalance in the relationship between the lender and the borrower. The lender always benefits, while the borrower becomes increasingly burdened.
The Prophet Muhammad even emphasized in a hadith narrated by Muslim: “The Prophet cursed those who consume usury, those who feed on usury, those who record it, and the two witnesses, and said: they are all the same.” This means that anyone involved in the chain of usury transactions, whether as a perpetrator, recipient, or intermediary, bears the same sin.
Usury in Digital Transactions and Paylater
Nowadays, usury also sneaks in in more modern forms, such as digital transactions or paylater services. Many people find the “pay later” feature or easy installments without a credit card helpful. However, often hidden behind this convenience are interest, penalties, or administrative fees that constitute usury. For example, when someone buys an item worth Rp1 million through a “paylater” system and is asked to pay Rp1,100,000 because there are additional fees, then the additional value includes an element of usury if it is not explained in accordance with Sharia law.
Islam permits deferred payment transactions (bai’ muajjal), but the price and payment schedule must be clearly stated upfront, without any additional charges for delays. When penalties are imposed solely due to delays, that constitutes prohibited usury. Therefore, Muslims should exercise caution before using modern financial services and ensure their mechanisms align with Sharia principles.
Usury in Credit Cards
Credit cards are often considered a symbol of financial convenience. However, they can also be a source of usury. Many credit card users only pay the minimum amount due, while the rest is subject to monthly interest. If someone continues to delay payment, the interest will continue to accumulate and the debt will become heavier. In Islam, such additions are clearly considered riba nasi’ah because they occur as a result of late debt repayment.
This does not mean that Islam rejects modern transaction conveniences, but the principle must be clear: there should be no additional charges that are not agreed upon or that arise solely due to delayed payments. Sharia financial institutions are now beginning to provide murabahah or ujrah-based financing cards, where the fees charged are fixed and transparent from the outset, without interest.
Usury in Unequal Sales
In addition to riba on debt, Islam also prohibits riba in the form of exchanging similar goods that are not of equal value, or what is called riba fadhl. An example is exchanging 10 grams of gold for 12 grams of gold in cash, or exchanging low-quality rice for high-quality rice in unequal amounts. In sales like this, Islam demands equality of value so that no party is disadvantaged.
However, this form of usury also often appears in everyday practices. For example, someone exchanges their used goods for new goods with additional costs that are not clearly explained in the contract. If the additional costs are concealed or not explained transparently, then it falls under the category of usury because it contains elements of injustice.
Why is Usury Prohibited?
Usury is not only an economic issue, but also a moral one. It destroys empathy and social solidarity. When usury becomes a system, the rich get richer without working, while the poor are increasingly oppressed by the burden of interest. Usury creates social distance, causing people to lose their compassion and sincerity in helping others. In Islam, loans should be a form of mutual assistance (qardhul hasan), not a means of seeking personal gain.
Usury also destroys the blessings of wealth. Wealth obtained from usury may appear to increase, but in reality it does not bring peace. Many people live in anxiety despite their large incomes because the wealth they have obtained is not clean. On the contrary, halal and blessed wealth always brings peace. Allah SWT says in Surah Ar-Rum verse 39:
“And whatever you give in usury (additional) so that it may increase in the wealth of people, it does not increase in the sight of Allah. And whatever you give in zakat, which you intend to seek the pleasure of Allah, it is those who multiply (their rewards).”
This verse emphasizes that wealth obtained through usury will not be blessed. On the contrary, it is wealth that is shared with the intention of zakat and alms that will multiply in the sight of Allah.
Usury can come in many forms, such as loans, bank interest, digital installments, and even seemingly minor transactions. Therefore, Muslims need to cultivate awareness and caution in managing their finances. The principles of Islam are very clear: every profit must be based on justice and willingness, not on the suffering of others.
If the wealth we have feels burdensome, it may be because there are rights that we have not fulfilled. It is time to cleanse our wealth from usury by paying zakat and alms through a trusted institution such as Dompet Dhuafa. Because in truth, blessings are not measured by the amount in our bank accounts, but by how clean and halal the means of obtaining them are. Let us purify our sustenance and lighten our steps in life by giving alms and zakat through Dompet Dhuafa. Every rupiah we spend in the way of Allah will return in the form of blessings, peace of mind, and protection from sustenance tainted by usury.
