Bank interest and riba - some dissenting views

THE PROHIBITION OF RIBA IN THE QUR’AN AND SUNNAH

BANK INTEREST AND RIBA - SOME DISSENTING VIEWS

Shaikh Muhammad al-Ghazzali (rahimahullah), the venerable Egyptian scholar of Islam, visited New York shortly before his death and ruled that bank interest was not riba because banks invested their money and paid interest from the profits realized from the investments. He therefore equaled bank interest with dividends which are paid to share-holders of a company. In fact banks are financial institutions which lend money on interest. They do not usually invest money. The principle involved in an investment is that the investor will receive a share of the profits, if the business realizes a profit, but will also share in the loss, if there is a loss. What a bank does is to borrow money from its depositors at a lower rate of interest and then lend that money to others at a higher rate of interest. The difference between the borrowing and lending rates (of interest) is pocketed by the bank as its profits. Sometimes, though very rarely, a bank commits itself to pay to depositors a higher rate of interest than the bank can itself get when it attempts to lend that money. This is one of the reasons why banks sometimes collapse.

The ruling of Shaikh Ghazzali was made, perhaps with a defective understanding of how banks operate. If banks were to invest their money, rather than lend, that would have a tremendously beneficial impact on the market. Prices will immediately fall. The reason why the banks would rather not invest their money is because investment is a form of business, and like all other forms of business, it involves risk. Risk, in turn, opens up the possibility of losses.

The govemment-appointed Mufti of Egypt, Shaikh Tantawi, who has now been appointed by the Egyptian government as Shaikh al-Azhar, also holds the view that bank interest is not riba. He delivered a fatwa, published in the Egyptian newspaper, Al-Ahram, on September 8, 1989, declaring lawful, under Islamic law, the Interest on savings and on certificates of deposits issued by banks. They are known in Egypt as investment certificates. Such investments may have a variable rate of profit, but because they are immune from loss they are essentially risk-free investments and hence constitute riba.

Source: IMRAN N. HOSEIN

to be continued . . . . 

The Prohibition of Riba (Interest) by Imran Hosein

The Prohibition of Riba (Interest) (Q&A) by Imran Hosein

Healing by Nakhl - Date Palm Tree

Healing Through Prophetic Medicine in Islam

Tibb-e-Nabawi

Healing by Food

نخل / Nakhl / Date Palm Tree

نَخْلٌ‏:‏  مذكور في القرآن في غير موضع، وفى ‏(‏الصحيحين‏)‏‏:‏ عن ابن عمر رضى الله عنهما، قال‏:‏ بيْنَا نحن عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، إذ أُتِىَ بجُمَّارِ نخلة، فقال النبىُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏(‏إنَّ مِن الشَّجَرِ شَجَرةً مَثَلُها مَثَلُ الرَّجُلِ المسلِمِ لا يَسقُطُ وَرَقُها، أخْبِرُونى ما هي ‏؟‏ فوقع الناسُ في شجر البوادى، فوقع في نفسى أنها النخلة، فأردتُ أن أقول‏:‏ هي النخلة، ثم نظرتُ فإذا أنا أصغرُ القوم سِنّاً، فسكتُّ، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏(‏هي النَّخْلَةُ‏)‏، فذكرتُ ذلك لعمرَ، فقال‏:‏ لأَنْ تكونَ قُلْتَهَا أحبُّ إلىَّ من كذا وكذا‏.‏ ففى هذا الحديث إلقاءُ العالِمُ المسائلَ على أصحابه، وتمرينُهم، واختبارُ ما عندهم‏.‏ وفيه ضربُ الأمثال والتشبيه‏.‏

وفيه ما كان عليه الصحابةُ من الحياء من أكابرهم وإجلالهم وإمساكهم عن الكلام بين أيديهم‏.‏ وفيه فرحُ الرجل بإصابة ولده، وتوفيقه للصواب وفيه أنه لا يُكره للولد أن يُجيبَ بما يَعْرِفُ بحضرة أبيه، وإن لم يَعرفه الأبُ، وليس في ذلك إساءةُ أدب عليه‏.‏وفيه ما تضمنه تشبيهُ المسلم بالنخلة من كثرة خيرها، ودوامِ ظلها، وطيبِ ثمرها، ووجودِهِ على الدوام‏.‏

وثمرُها يؤكل رطباً ويابساً، وبلحاً ويانعاً، وهو غذاء ودواء وقوت وحَلْوى، وشرابٌ وفاكهة، وجذُوعها للبناء والآلات والأوانى، ويُتخَذ مِن خُوصها الحُصُر والمكاتِل والأوانى والمراوح، وغير ذلك، ومن ليفها الحبالُ والحشايا وغيرها، ثم آخر شىء نواها علفٌ للإبل، ويدخل في الأدوية والأكحال، ثم جمالُ ثمرتها ونباتها وحسنُ هيئتها، وبهجةُ منظرها، وحسنُ نضد ثمرها، وصنعته وبهجته، ومسرَّةُ النفوس عند رؤيته، فرؤيتها مذكِّرة لفاطرها وخالقها، وبديع صنعته، وكمالِ قدرته، وتمامِ حكمته، ولا شىء أشبَهُ بها من الرجل المؤمن، إذ هو خيرٌ كُلُّهُ، ونفعٌ ظاهرٌ وباطن‏.‏

وهى الشجرة التي حَنَّ جِذعُها إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم لما فارقه شوقاً إلى قُربه، وسماع كلامه، وهى التي نزلتْ تحتها مريمُ لما ولدتْ عيسى عليه السلام‏.‏ وقد ورد في حديث في إسناده نظرٌ‏:‏ ‏(‏أكرِمُوا عَمَّتَكُم النخلَةَ، فإنها خُلِقَتْ من الطِّين الذي خُلق منه آدَمُ‏)‏‏.‏ وقد اختلف الناسُ في تفضيلها على الحَبْلَةِ أو بالعكس على قولين، وقد قرن اللهُ بينهما في كتابه في غير موضع، وما أقْربَ أحدَهما من صاحبه، وإن كان كُلُّ واحد منهما في محل سلطانه ومَنبِته، والأرض التي توافقه أفضلَ وأنفعَ‏.‏

 

Date palm is mentioned in Quran at several places. In Sahi'hain, it is narrated that Ibn

Umar Radi Allaho Anh said "We were with Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam and a spadix of date palm was brought to him. On that occasion he said, among the trees is a tree; the leaves of which do not fall and it resembles a Muslim , I wanted to say that it was the date palm tree but as I was the youngest of all of them, I kept quiet. And then Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said, "it is the date palm tree". I mentioned all of that to my father Umar Radi Allaho Anh and he said, "Had you said it would have been better to me than such & such".

This Hadith contains many benefits, such as the scholar training his students by asking them questions and testing their knowledge. It also contains parables and demonstrates the shyness of Prophet's companions, the leaders & the commoners among them, as they all kept quiet & were shy to answer Prophet's question. The Hadith also demonstrates that the parent would be happy if his child does something right, it also shows that it is allowed for the children to answer questions in the presence of their parents; even if the father did not know the answer, as this does not constitute misbehaving with the father or elderly.

The Hadith compares a Muslim with the Nakhlah, the date palm, because of its tremendous benefits, constant shade & sweet fruit that it produces throughout the year. Dates are eaten fresh, dried, ripe & unripe and are both a type of food & cure. Dates are nutritious; a type of sweet, a drink and a fruit. Date's tree trunk is used for building purposes, in making pots and so forth & its seeds are used as fodder for camels and as ingredients in various medicinal remedies & in KOHL (eyeliner). Fruit of date palm is known for its beauty, refreshing shape and the handsome way the fruits are arranged on their branches, which also brings comfort to the eyes. Merely looking at the fruits of date tree reminds (a human) of its CREATOR; Whose creation is both excellent & perfect, just as is His Wisdom. Therefore the date palm tree resembles the righteous believer, for he is pure goodness who brings about benefit both inwardly & outwardly.

Also, the Nakhlah was the tree trunk that yearned & longed for the Messenger of Allah when he no longer used it as a podium / pulpit (in Masjid-e-Nabawi). The trunk yearned for Prophet's closeness & for hearing his speech. Also, we should mention that the tree that Maryam Alaihess Salaam took refuge under when she gave birth to Issa Alaih as Salaam was the date palm. There is a difference of opinion regarding which is better, the date tree OR the Hablah (grapevine tree). Allah Has Mentioned both trees in several verses of Quran. Also, both trees are truly similar to each other, although each is at its prime in its natural habitat and the land that accepts it the most.

A Muslim's example is given with a date palm tree.

Similarly, our Kalimah لا اله الله محمد رسول الله is also like a date palm tree, whose roots are firm & strong inside a Muslim's hearts, its branches are always pointing towards the sky (showing a connection with Allah), & it gives fruit in all seasons.


“Have not you seen that how Allah sets forth a parable? - A goodly word (Kalimah) like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens of its Lord. It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the Order of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition.” 

(14: 24, 25)

Ibn Al Qayyam wrote about date seeds that نواها علفٌ للإبل، ويدخل في الأدوية والأكحال، which means that the seeds are a fodder for camels & are used in medicines & as eyeliner (KOHL).

Source

to be continued .....

Healing by Milh - Salt

Healing Through Prophetic Medicine in Islam

Tibb-e-Nabawi

Healing by Food

مــلــح / Milh ~ Salt

مِلحٌ‏:‏ روى ابن ماجه في ‏(‏سننه‏)‏‏:‏ من حديث أنس يرفعه‏:‏ ‏(‏سَـيِّدُ إدامِكُم المِلحُ‏)‏‏.‏ وسيد الشىء‏:‏ هو الذي يُصلحه، ويقومُ عليه، وغالبُ الإدام إنما يصلح بالملح‏.‏ وفى ‏(‏مسند البزَّار‏)‏ مرفوعاً‏:‏ ‏(‏سَيُوشِكُ أن تكونوا في النَّاس مِثْلَ المِلْحِ في الطَّعَام، ولا يَصلُحُ الطَّعَامُ إلا بالمِلْحِ‏)‏‏.‏ وذكر البغوىُّ في ‏(‏تفسيره‏)‏‏:‏ عن عبد الله بن عمر رضى الله عنهما مرفوعاً‏:‏ ‏(‏إنَّ اللهَ أنزلَ أربعَ بركاتٍ من السَّمَاء إلى الأرْضِ‏:‏ الحَدِيدَ، والنارَ، والماءَ، والمِلْحَ‏)‏‏.‏ والموقوف أشبَهُ‏.‏

المِلْحُ يُصلِح أجسام الناس وأطعمتهم، ويُصلِح كُلَّ شىء يُخالطه حتى الذَّهبَ والفِضَّة، وذلك أن فيه قوةً تزيدُ الذهبَ صُفرةً، والفِضَّةَ بياضاً، وفيه جِلاءٌ وتحليل، وإذهابٌ للرطوبات الغليظة، وتنشيفٌ لها، وتقويةٌ للأبدان، ومنعٌ من عفونتها وفسادها، ونفعٌ من الجرب المتقرِّح‏.‏ وإذا اكتُحِلَ به، قلع اللَّحم الزائد من العَيْن، ومحَقَ الظَّفَرَة‏.‏ والأندرانى أبلغُ في ذلك، ويمنعُ القروحَ الخبيثة من الانتشار، ويُحدِرُ البراز، وإذا دُلِكَ به بطونُ أصحابِ الاستسقاء، نفعهم، ويُنقى الأسنانَ، ويدفعُ عنها العُفُونة، ويشُدُّ اللِّثة ويُقويها، ومنافعه كثيرة جدّاً

Narrated by Ibn-e-Majah on the authority of Anas Radi Allaho Anh "Salt is the SYED (best) of your curries". Syed actually means the leader, and why the salt is meant as the leader is because the taste of all curries is dependent on the salt.


Al-Bazzar (in his Masnad) narrated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said: “You will soon be (to the people) like what the salt represents to food; and the food's flavor does not become favorable unless there is salt in it."


Al-Baghawi said in his commentary on Quran that Abdullah Bin Umar Radi Allaho Anh related from Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam that he said, "There are four blessings that Allah Has Sent down to the earth from the heavens, iron, fire, water and salt".


Salt is favorable for people's bodies and food, it is beneficial when blended with any substance, including gold and silver, as it makes gold more yellowish and whitens the silver. Salt decomposes, cleanses, dries the thick humidity, strengthens and purifies the body and helps against open mangy sores.


When used as an eyeliner / KOHL, especially gem salt ~ الأندرانى Andaraani ~ which is taken out from mines, will remove the excess fat or flesh and the yellowish color from the eye. Salt also prevents malignant infections from spreading, works as a laxative and helps against Pleurisy when the stomach is anointed with it. Salt cleanses the teeth, prevents them from decaying, strengthens the gums and makes them firm. There are many other benefits for the salt.

Source

to be continued .....

WHO HAS BENEFITED FROM THE ATTACK ON AMERICA?

WHO HAS BENEFITED FROM THE ATTACK

ON AMERICA?

It is unlikely that a European Jew in Britain, or USA, or in the Holy Land, would want to read this little book. After all he has more important things to do – like pursuing a relentless effort that will culminate in him ruling the world from Jerusalem. In order to achieve this goal he will have to enslave all of mankind (i.e., gentile humanity) in grinding political and economic oppression. He pursues this goal ‘by hook or by crook’ since he does not consider non-Jews (i.e., gentiles) to be a people entitled to the same standard of justice and morality to which Jews are entitled (when they interact with fellow Jews).  The Qur’an refers to this Jewish ethical double standard, and contempt for those who are not Jews, in the following passage:

 “Among the People of the Book (i.e., Jews) are some who, if entrusted with a hoard of gold, will (readily) pay it back; others, who, if entrusted with a single silver coin,will not repay it unless you constantly stood (over them demanding the return of your money).  (This is because) they say: There is no call on us (to keep faith) with these gentiles. But they tell a lie against Allah, and (well) they know it.”

(Qur’an, ale ‘Imran, 3:75)

We quote the Qur’an because Allah Most High has Himself asked that we wage a mighty struggle against the disbelievers while using the Qur’an:

  

“Therefore pay no heed to the disbelievers, but, rather, (use the Qur’an to) wage a mighty struggle against them.” 

(Qur’an, al-Furqan, 25:52)

The European Jew has already almost achieved the goal of political and economic enslavement of mankind.  When he does finally achieve it, and there is nothing that suggests that he would not achieve it, it would appear to him to validate his Jewish claim to truth. It is, of course, another matter altogether that ‘terrorism’, oppression, and deceit are totally incompatible with the true morality that forms the foundation of the religion of Abraham (s).  But the spiritual blindness of the Jew who first rejected the true Messiah, and then Prophet Muhammad (s), has made him incapable of recognizing this elementary truth.  In consequence of that ‘internal’, ‘spiritual’ blindness the Jew is being led into the hell- fire.  The Qur’an confirms the link between the two:

“We have surely condemned to the Hell fire huge numbers of human beings as well as Jinn. (Why so?)  They have hearts but they cannot understand (since their hearts are dead). (Similarly) they have eyes but they cannot see (because they are internally blind), and ears but they cannot hear (because they are internally deaf). Such people are like cattle.  Rather, they are more misguided: for they are the ones who are truly heedless (of the Signs of Allah, Most High).”

(Qur’an, al-‘Araf, 7:179)

The Jew would be surprised to learn that those who study the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (s), are aware not only of his plans and his goals but also of the awesome deception that he employs in his relentless efforts to achieve those goals.  The reality is that while the present may be quite bleak for Muslims, the future belongs to Islam and, as the saying goes: ‘He who laughs last, laughs best’!  Therein lies the difference between appearance and reality.

It has not escaped the attention of Muslims that the only beneficiary of the September 11^th  attack on America was the Jewish State of Israel.  This book is certainly not ‘jumping to a conclusion’ when it recognizes the Israeli Mossad and other allied Jewish groups (such as Jews working in the US government) as the prime suspect responsible for planning and executing that attack.  Rather, the book arrives at that conclusion on the basis of a dispassionate examination of the benefits that Israel, and only Israel, has derived from the attack.  What are those benefits?

Source:A MUSLIM RESPONSE TO THE ATTACK ON AMERICA.