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Is the increase in money exchanged between women when they exchange visits on occasions considered usury?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The phenomenon mentioned is "hibat al-thawab" (gift for reward), which refers to monetary compensation, and its ruling is that of a sale. If compensation is stipulated or customarily practiced, this gift is considered a sale. Hibat al-thawab is generally permissible, but the form that leads to riba (usury) (selling money for money of the same kind without equality or immediate possession, or with a difference in kind but with riba al-nasi'ah [usury of delay]) is impermissible. To avoid the usurious prohibition, the donee must return an item of equivalent value instead of money, as exchanging money in this manner involves riba al-fadl (usury of surplus) and riba al-nasi'ah if they are of the same kind, and riba al-nasi'ah if they differ. This custom is considered reprehensible and is religiously prohibited because it falls under the category of selling food for food without immediate exchange or with an increase, and because compensation is sought therein.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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