Hadith Text and Reference

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed the one who accepted usury, the one who paid it, the witness to it, and the one who recorded it."

Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 3333, Book: Commercial Transactions (Kitab Al-Buyu)

Meaning and Scope of the Prohibition

This hadith establishes the severe prohibition of usury (riba) in Islam, extending beyond the primary participants to include all facilitators. The curse (la'nah) indicates grave spiritual consequences and divine displeasure.

The prohibition encompasses four categories: the receiver of usury (who benefits unjustly), the payer (who enables the transaction), witnesses (who legitimize it), and scribes (who document it). This comprehensive approach ensures no one participates in this forbidden transaction.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam Al-Nawawi explains that this hadith demonstrates Islam's comprehensive approach to eliminating evil by prohibiting not only the core sin but all means leading to it. The curse applies to all participants because each contributes to perpetuating this major sin.

Ibn Qudamah states in Al-Mughni that this prohibition applies regardless of whether the participants are Muslim or non-Muslim, as riba is inherently corrupt regardless of the faith of those involved.

Scholars emphasize that this ruling applies to all forms of riba, including riba al-fadl (excess in exchange of specific commodities) and riba al-nasi'ah (delay in exchange).

Practical Implications

This ruling prohibits Muslims from working in institutions that primarily deal with interest-based transactions, such as conventional banks, unless one is working to Islamize the system or in departments free from interest.

Muslims must avoid witnessing or documenting contracts involving interest, and should instead advise parties toward permissible alternatives.

The comprehensive nature of this prohibition serves as a protection for the entire community from the spiritual and economic harms of usury, which Allah has declared war upon in the Quran.