To what extent is it valid that some Companions prohibited ribā al-nasīʾah (usury of delay) while permitting ribā al-faḍl (usury of surplus), and how do banks make a profit if they are prohibited from lending without interest?
Usury (riba) is of two types: Riba an-Nasi'ah (usury of delay) and Riba al-Fadl (usury of surplus). Riba an-Nasi'ah is forbidden by the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and scholarly consensus, while Riba al-Fadl is forbidden by numerous authentic texts. Islamic law has clarified permissible alternatives for banks to generate profit, such as Mudarabah (profit-sharing) and Murabahah (cost-plus sale), while emphasizing that lending is a contract of donation and assistance, not intended for profit.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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