Summary of Feqh - Section One: The Definition of Riba and Its Types

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Section One: The Definition of Riba and Its Types

The First Topic: Linguistic and Islamic (Shari'a ) definition of Riba (usury).
Linguistic definition: Riba (usury/interest) linguistically means an increase. It is said of something, "Raba Yarbu" to increase, meaning it increased. From this, the forbidden Riba is derived. "Rabiya" refers to something elevated from the ground, and similarly "Rabwa" with the variations of the vowel on the letter "ra ر" being either dhamma ضم, fatha فتح, or kasra كسرة. [1] -See: "Tahdhib al-Lugha" by al-Azhari (15/195) ; " al-Sihah" by-al-Jawhari (6/2349, 2350).
Islamic (shari'a) definition of Riba: Riba refers to the excess obtained in the exchange of items of the same genus Ribawi items, or the delay in receiving items when immediate exchange is required for transactions involving Ribawi items, [2] - See: "Muntaha al-Iradat" by Ibn al-Najjar 2/347 ; "Fatawa al-Lajna al-Da'ima - al-Majmu'a al-Ula"( 23/575). or it refers to an increase in certain specific items. [3] - See: "al-Mughni" by Ibn Qudama (4/3); "al-Udda Sharh al-Umda" (p. 244) ; "Al-Sharh al-Kabir ala Matn al-Muqni'"( 4/122).

The Second Topic: The Types of Riba

(1) Pre-Islamic Riba (Riba al-Qard = Loan Usury).
This refers to any increase in the principal or benefits the lender stipulates from the borrower. [4] - See: "al-Istidhkar" by Ibn Abd al-Barr (6/516); "Tuhfat al-Muhtaj" by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (4/272- 273).

(2) Riba al-Fadl (ربا الفضل) Usury of Excess = Usury of Surplus
This refers to an increase in one of the two exchanged items of the same kind and genus, such as gold for gold. [5] - See: For example, selling one kilogram of gold for one and a half kilograms of gold, or selling one measure Ṣāaʿ (a measurement of Capacity = (صاع of wheat for one and a half measures of wheat. Refer to: "Fath al-Aziz" by al-Rafi'i (8/162); "al-Itqan wa al-Ihkam fi Sharh Tuhfat al-Hukkam" by Abu Abdullah al-Fasi (1/294) , and "Al-Sharh al-Mumti' " by Ibn Uthaymin (8/392). = Likewise, Riba al-Yad (( ربا اليد is prohibited. The meaning of Riba al-Yad is selling wealth (money or goods) in exchange for other wealth, where one of the exchanged items is received during the session transaction while the other is not. This term is specifically mentioned by the Shafi'i scholars, and its meaning is unanimously agreed upon. Refer to: ""Kifayat al-Nabih"" by Ibn al-Rif'a (9/125).
In other words, Riba al-Fadl is taking a superior thing of the same kind of goods by giving more of the same kind of inferior quality goods—for example, dates of superior quality for dates of inferior quality in greater amounts. Islam strictly forbids all kinds of usury. (Comment of the Translator).

(3) Riba al-Nasi’ah (Delay Usury = Interest of Deferred Payment)
Note: Riba al-Nasi’ah (ربا النسيئة)can also be translated as an Interest taken on lent Money. This refers to the delay in receiving the exchanged items in transactions where Riba applies. [6] - "As in the case of selling a Ṣāaʿ( صاع = a measure of capacity) of wheat for a Ṣāaʿ of rice or barley, with any delay, what ever short, for the transfer of possession after the contract session". See: "Tuhfat al-Muhtaj" by Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (4/273) ; "Al-Iqnaʿ" by Al-Hajjawi (2/120) ; "Al-Sharh al-Mumtiʿ" by Ibn ʿUthaymin (8/392). A Ṣāaʿ( صاع) is also an eight moderate handful measure.