Surah 1-2 - YasSarNal QuR'aN

Al-Baqarah (The Cow) | THE EVIL OF USURYbecome better known in our modern society. Only today, in the light of widespreadhuman suffering, can we appreciate the reasons behind the Qur’ān’s determinedonslaught on this evil practice. Today, we are better placed than even the people ofpre-Islamic Arabia to understand God’s wisdom underlying these principles, and thesuitability of Islam for the organization of human society. In today’s world, we haveall the signs and evidence we need to explain and confirm the words of the Qur’ān.We can see what havoc and what misery a usury-based financial system has broughtupon the world, as well as the insidious destruction it has caused to the morals,religion, health and economic strength of modern society. As the Qur’ān says, we arewitnessing a divinely-inspired war against all individuals, groups, nations and statesthat persist in defying God’s commands concerning the practice of usury in itsvarious disguises.The passage discussed in Chapter 18 laid down the basic principles for giving tocharity, for the sake of God, as an important part of the Islamic social and economicsystem God has chosen for the Muslim community. It serves as a model for the restof mankind to emulate and enjoy. It is presented as an alternative to a wicked andinhumane system based on usury.We, thus, have two contrasting socio-economic systems: the Islamic system andthe usury-based un-Islamic system. They are based on totally different value systemsand views of the world. They can never be reconciled, as each leads in a completelyopposite direction to the other and aims to achieve different ends.The economic system Islam advocates, like its overall view of life, is based on thefundamental concept that God is the Creator and the undisputed master of all thatexists. God has struck a deal with mankind and delegated to man certain duties andresponsibilities on earth. He provided him with the tools, the materials and themeans by which he can exercise his authority and freewill. The main proviso ofGod’s covenant with man is that man should live and behave according to God’slaws. Only actions, morals, dealings or religious activities conducted according toGod’s law will be sanctioned and valid. The imposition of such activities by duress isrejected and condemned as injustice. God is the ultimate ruler and arbiter, andtemporal human authority is derived from adherence to His law and code of living,to which human beings are bound by their covenant with Him.Another provision of God’s covenant with man stipulates that believers must lookafter one another’s welfare and share the benefits of what God has provided for all ofthem. This does not mean common ownership in the Marxist sense, but responsibleand regulated private ownership. Those who have should share with those who havenot and all are equally required to seek work and earn their living according to theirability. No capable member of society should live off someone else or become aburden on the community. To support this system of social welfare, Islam has set up382