Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Sir,

Asalam o Aliqum,

I have a question related to interest. I am an ACCA student and my studies include books, questions and topics related to the calculation and ways of recording interest in the books of account. As it is a compulsory topic I cannot opt to leave it, as one of our papers (Financial Management and Accounting) is totally based on calculation and ways of recording interest.

My question relates to a hadith of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in which he has said that,  (I don't remember the hadith correctly but it was some what like this) :

Four types of people have been cursed

1- who takes Riba'

2- who gives Riba'

3- who writes Riba'

         4- I don't remember the fourth one.

My question is that to clear my exams I have to do the topics related to interest. Do I fall in the category of the one who writes Riba' ? Although I intend not do interest based calculations when I join the firm (i.e. start earning).

Hoping to have a favorable and quick reply.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Studying the concept of Riba-Interest

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 2829 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

Ali heard Allah's Messenger (saws) curse those who took usury, those who paid it, those who recorded it, and those who refused to give sadaqah.

Dear Brother in Islam, under the circumstances related by you, you would definitely not fall under the categories of people who actually record the receipt or payment of interest or riba.

Allah Subhanah has declared haraam the consumption of swine flesh, or flesh of the dead, or wine, or gambling, etc.; but nowhere in the Shariah is it mentioned that a believer is forbidden to study these things or subjects. For only if one studies these subjects in detail, one will be able to realize and grasp some of the wisdom behind these Commands of the All Wise, All Knowing Lord of the Worlds.

It may be, that once you learn the trappings of the concept of ‘riba’, you might use your knowledge for the good of mankind, and strive to make others aware of the evil consequences of ‘riba’; and that will, Insha Allah earn you a huge reward from the Merciful Lord.

All your deeds, no matter what they are, will be judged by Allah Subhanah on your intentions! Thus if your intentions to study this concept of ‘riba’ is to earn the pleasure of Allah Subhanah and work in His Cause, it might be a source of huge rewards and benefit for you from the All Mighty Lord of the Worlds.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.1 Narrated by Umar bin Al Khattab

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan