Dangers and Prohibitions of Riba

Abu Hurairah (عنه االله رضي (reported that The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم (said, “Avoid the seven major destructive sins.” The people enquire, “O Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم !(What are they? “He said, “To join others in worship along with Allah, to practice sorcery, to kill the life which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause (according to Islamic law), to eat up (consume) Riba (usury), to eat up an orphan’s wealth, to give back to the enemy and fleeing from the battlefield at the time of fighting, and to accuse chaste believing women, who never even think of anything touching chastity. (Bukhari, No. 2766 | Muslim, No. 89)

Short Explanation:

From the hadith above, the prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم (has warned us to avoid major destructive sins (Kaba’ir). The major destructive sins are not confined to the seven mentioned examples but also includes other Kabai’r (i.e. not performing the prayers). One may refer to Imam Zahabi’s book, titled “al-Kaba’ir” (the major sins), where he listed 70 major sins, to further read on it.

As for where the topic of Riba is concerned, the hadith entails the prohibition to deal with all types of Riba, either Riba Duyun (Riba in Loan Contracts) or Riba al-Bai’ (Riba in Sale Contract), and has accounted it as one of the major sins that are destructive for human. Furthermore, this injunction implies to all those who are associated with Riba dealings (such as the one who takes it, pays it, witnesses it and/or records it).