The Objectives of the Prohibition of Riba By: Elhadi Habbani

Section one: What is meant by Riba:
Riba in language; the meaning of the word Riba:
Riba is "an Arabic word, derived from the verb Raba that literally means ‘to grow’ or ‘expand’ or ‘increase’ or ‘inflate’ or ‘excess" . It also means "An elevated place or hill is called because of its superiority or (increase) in height in comparison with the adjacent places . And based to Alqurtubi in his book (Aljami Li Ahkam Al-Quran) It also means "excess" . So most of scholars agree that the precise meaning of Riba in Arabic language is an access, increase, grow, inflate, multiply …etc, like to say Raba Al-Mal or else increased. Or to say the thing Raba or else rose and towered, or to say the horse bulged from a run or panic .
Based on ejabat google (Raba in Arabic also come from the word hill which means reputation, height, and pride. Ibn Manzoor said: The thing Raba from Yarbu, Rabwan, "ربا، يربو، ربواً" and Raba, increased and grew, so everything grows and increases the so-called Riba, and from it, extracted the word Riba or "Usury". Ibn Manzoor said in Rabwah (eminence, elevation, or hill) elevation: "All what rose from the ground and mounted") .
Based on (Qamus Al-Maani) Riba also means Al-Fadl and Alziyadah which means that the Arabs in their language even before Islam used the word Riba to refer to both Riba of exchanging commodities with increment or exchanging cash or debt.
The above meaning of Riba was also supported by Dr. Monzer Kahf who said (Riba is an Arabic word that means increment/increase)
Despite the different interpretation of the Arabic word Riba there are semi-unanimity in translating it in English as "Usury" 4 centuries ago, which means in some English dictionaries (the act or practice of lending money at rate of interest that is excessive or exorbitant at a rate of interest higher than is allowed by law ), and as "Interest" for the last centuries until today which means the fee charged by lender to borrower for the use of borrowed money, usually as an annual percentage of principal; the rate is dependent upon the time value of money, the credit risk of borrower, and the inflation rate. Here, interest per year divided by principal amount, expressed as percentage. Also called interest rate

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