[489] Ribā, a recurrent theme in the Qur’an, is a financial transaction in which the lender loans money out and in return gets the principal capital plus interest. Whereas giving out money in charity is strongly encouraged, as seen in these ayas, usury is considered one of the seven cardinal sins (al-sabʿ al-mūbiqāt) in Islam, because it cuts against the grain of the true Believing spirit as expounded in the Qur’an; essentially, it entails exploitation of the economically vulnerable by the strong and resourceful.
[490] The image given here, of a person possessed by the devil staggering while standing and walking unsteadily as they are resurrected for the Day of Judgement, is meant to repulse people from such transactions. It is also a just requital because it mimics their insatiable lust for money in this life making them declare lawful what is not, thus twisting the laws ordained by God (cf. al-Ṭabarī, Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī).
[491] Halts dealing in such a transaction.
[492] Judging by his intentions and motives. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Baghawī)
[493] Goes back to dealing in usury knowing how sinful it is. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Baghawī)
[494] Rebellious, sinning Believers will not stay in Hellfire indefinitely. Instead, they will abide in it for a very long period of time and for as long as it takes to cleanse them of their sins. (Ibn ʿAṭiyyah, al-Saʿdī)
[495] One way to interpret this is that God would not bless or prosper the money gained through such an immoral transaction (cf. 30: 39). (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī)
[496] Yurbī (lit. to grow and cultivate translated here as foster) is semantically related to ribā (usury; originally meaning ‘increase’). It is used strategically here by way of correcting this misnomer, showing what blessed investment, which is likely to grow and flourish, really is: namely, charity (cf. 2: 245). Abū Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever gives in charity the equal of a date ˹of palm˺ from a good source – Allah only accepts what is good – Allah will receive it with His Right Hand. Then He will nurture it for him as much as one of you cares for his young foal, until it becomes as big as a mountain”. (al-Bukhārī: 1410) Charity is described in the Qur’an as a trade with God that will not go to ruin (cf. 35: 29).
[497] Cf. 2: 274 above.
[498] The remaining usurious interest due on transactions conducted before usury was declared unlawful. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī)
[499] Not doing wrong by receiving interest and not being wronged against by preserving your principal capital in full. (al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Kathīr, al-Saʿdī)
[500] Abū Qatādah (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever is hopeful that Allah will spare him the hardships of the Day of Judgement, then let him grant deferral to a constrained debtor, or relieve him ˹altogether˺”. (Muslim: 1563)