Publisher's Note

This is a short rebuttal of a research written by Dr. Ibraahim bin Abdullah AnNaasir, in which he tried his best to show the permissibility of most types of Ribaa (usury and interest) transactions that have appeared in recent times in the numerous financial institutions of the world. Hence, we thought English speaking Muslims would benefit from this translated response by Shaikh Abdul-Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz, one of the noted scholars of our time and a staunch supporter and defender of the Manhaj of the Righteous Predecessors (As-Salaf As-Saalih). Shaikh Ibn Baz's response is a refutation of the misguided effort of Dr. Ibraahim An-Naasir to allow Ribaa transactions.

The Manhaj (way, method) of As-Salaf As-Saalih (meaning the Companions and the following two generations of Islam) has been blessed in our time by the presence of several noted scholars of Hadeeth and Islamic Jurisprudence (Filth). These scholars combine both vast knowledge in the religion and firm adherence to the Qur'an and the Sunnah according to the way the Salaf understood and implemented them. Shaikh Ibn Baz is one of these scholars and firmly advocates the Manhaj of the Salaf through his lectures, writings and rebuttals of misguided ideas and deviant opinions, such as this research. We ask Allah to reward our scholars and to raise high the flag of the Salaf and their Manhaj.

This short response by Shaikh Ibn Baz that asserts the strict prohibition of all types of Ribaa transactions comes at a time when several so-called scholars are issuing Fatwas (religious decrees) allowing some and even most types of Ribaa. These false, deviant and erroneous Fatwas are especially welcomed by some Muslim communities and individuals who live in non-Muslim countries and who often end up imitating the ways of the Kuffaar (disbelievers) in the societies in which they live. Such people quickly embrace the misguided Fatwas that allow Ribaa, because they think that these Fatwas legalize and justify their indulging in the various types and forms of Ribaa that exist in the present time. I ask Allah to benefit these Muslims and the rest of the Muslim Ummah (nation) with this rebuttal so that they all refrain from indulging in Ribaa, in particular, and in all that Allah has forbidden for them, in general. I also ask Allah to bless the efforts of our scholars who surely face tremendous challenges in recent times, often defending the religion of Allah and His stated limits on several fronts at the same time. They defend the religion against various kinds of attacks by the enemies of Islam and the innovators in the religion. In particular, I ask Allah to grant His best rewards to Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz, who wrote this rebuttal, Shaikh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Din AlAlbani, Shaikh Muhammad bin Salih AlUthaimin and the rest of the scholars in general who follow the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the understanding of the Salaf As-Saalih. Aameen.

Introduction

All praise is due to Allah, Whom we thank and seek for help and forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and from the wrongdoing of our actions. Whomever Allah guides, there is none who can mislead him, and whomever He leaves astray, there is none who can guide him. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

"O you who believe! Fear Allah as He deserves to be feared, and die not except as Muslims." (3:102)

"O mankind! Fear your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations) of the wombs (kinship) ! Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you." (4:1)

"O you who believe! Fear Allah, and say a correct word that is correct (i.e. the truth). He will direct you to do righteous deeds and forgive you your sins. And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed achieved a great achievement." (33:70-71)

To proceed: Verily, the best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad. The worst matters are newly invented matters (in the religion), and every newly invented matter is an innovation (Bid'ah), every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hell-fire.

Table of Contents

1. Publisher's Note
2. Introduction
3. My work on this book
4. Shaikh Ibn Baz said
5. The rebuttal
6. Allah will bless the Muslim economy as long as the Muslims govern by His Law
7. Economic preeminence does not require Ribaa
8. Financial institutions can and do survive without Ribaa
9. They call Ribaa as 'Al-Faa'idah', 'Interest', etc.
10. Ribaa is forbidden because Allah has forbidden it
11. What Allah has forbidden does not benefit mankind
12. Ribaa is a prohibited type of transaction
13. Qiiyaas is only, allowed where there are no texts in the Qur'an or Sunnah
14. Ribaa is forbidden any way you look at it
15. Allah has allowed the transaction called As-Salam
16. The Muslim economy does not need Ribaa transactions
17. The Muslim economy needs to implement Allah's Law to survive and flourish
18. Comparing the Haraam to the Halaal to justify the Haraam is forbidden