.
.
7. Bilal brought some ‘Barni’ (i.e. superior quality) dated to the Holy Prophet. He inquired from where he got that. Bilal replied that he bought those dates weighing a ‘Saa’ by giving inferior dates weighing two ‘Saa’.
The Holy Prophet
warned:
“ This is exactly ‘interest’. This is exactly
‘interest’. But if you wish to buy (such qualitative dates), you must first
sell the inferior dates and then buy the superior dates with it.”
(Bukhari & Muslim – Mishkat:2691) (See also Bukhari:2089)
8. The Holy Prophet
The following conclusions and the definition of ‘Riba’ may be derived from above:
The sale of gold (or silver etc.) in lieu of gold (or silver etc.) involves interest if not done on equal to equal, same to same, and hand to hand basis. Gold can be changed to gold coins or gold jewelry but on equal to equal, same to same, and hand to hand basis, otherwise interest will be involved. Gold is an international standard or international money. It can also be sold for buying any thing in the way we like without involving any interest, in the light of the above Sayings of the Holy Prophet. But gold cannot be sold (or given on loan) to get an additional quantity of gold of the same quality and quantity, as it will not be the profit but ‘interest. Money like gold, dollar or rupee must not yield, create or give birth to baby gold, baby dollar or baby rupee by giving it on loan, as it will not be the profit but ‘interest’. The loan must be given without interest to the needy. And if you want to earn money, take the risk of investing in businessor have a joint enterprise.
