What is the meaning of Allah Almighty’s saying: {O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger}, and the meaning of the verse that likens the one who consumes usury to one whom Satan has confounded from the touch?

Allah Almighty’s saying: (Those who consume interest will not stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one stands who is being beaten by Satan into insanity.) [Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:275], meaning they will rise from their graves on the Day of Resurrection like an epileptic. Ibn Abbas said: “The one who consumes usury will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection insane, being strangled.”

And His saying: (That is because they say, "Trade is only like interest." But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest.) [Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:275], meaning they were recompensed thus for their objection to Allah’s rulings. So, the verse is a refutation of them, clarifying the difference between trade and usury, for Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury, and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

And Allah Almighty’s saying: (So whoever has received an admonition from his Lord and desists may have what is past, and his affair rests with Allah.) [Surat Al-Baqarah, 2:275], meaning whoever has been reached by the prohibition and desisted, he may keep what he had from usury before its prohibition, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) pardoned the usury of the pre-Islamic era.