Konsep Hukum Riba | Ust. Adi Hidayat. Lc, MA

Summary

The transcript discusses the Islamic prohibition of riba (usury or interest), highlighting its severe consequences for those involved in it, whether as a borrower, lender, witness, or notary. The speaker explains that engaging with riba spiritually and morally corrupts individuals, closing them off from goodness and leading them towards punishment in the afterlife. However, the transcript also acknowledges the need for pragmatic solutions in some cases, such as when Islamic banks are unavailable, allowing temporary use of conventional banks as a bridge while seeking better, compliant alternatives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Riba (interest/usury) is clearly prohibited in Islam, as stated in the Quran and Hadith, and those involved in it, including lenders, borrowers, recorders, and witnesses, are all cursed by Allah.
• 😀 Engaging in riba can severely impact a person’s spiritual and moral life, causing them to lose the ability to perceive good and to act righteously.
• 😀 Riba is compared to being possessed, as it disturbs the natural state of the individual, making them spiritually and morally disoriented.
• 😀 When forbidden things like riba enter a person’s life, they block the doors to goodness and lead to negative consequences in their actions and relationships.
• 😀 People who consume haram (forbidden) things, such as riba, will face consequences like closed ears and eyes to spiritual guidance and may even grow indifferent to their halal (permissible) relationships.
• 😀 The Quran warns of severe consequences for those who do not repent from engaging in riba, including being at war with Allah and facing eternal damnation if they do not seek forgiveness.
• 😀 The punishment for those involved in riba is likened to the harshest forms of punishment, where their bodies will suffer intense pain as a consequence of their sinful actions.
• 😀 While riba is strictly prohibited, certain situations, like temporary financial difficulties, may allow individuals to use conventional banks as a short-term solution while seeking alternatives that comply with Islamic law.
• 😀 The motivation behind an action (the 'illah' or cause) is critical in determining its permissibility. Even actions that are generally permissible may become haram if performed with the wrong intentions, such as for showing off or hypocrisy.
• 😀 Islamic law allows exceptions in extreme cases, such as when there is no other food source except for something haram (e.g., pork), but these exceptions are temporary and should not be seen as permanent solutions.

Q & A

What is the Islamic perspective on riba (usury)?

Riba, or usury, is strictly prohibited (haram) in Islam. Both the Quran and Hadith emphasize its harmful effects, equating its practitioners to those who are spiritually corrupted, with serious consequences in the afterlife if they do not repent.

What does the Quran say about the people involved in riba?

In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275), the Quran likens those who engage in riba to people who are possessed, suggesting that their actions are irrational and harmful. This metaphor reflects the severe consequences of engaging in riba, both spiritually and morally.

How does riba affect a person's spiritual and physical well-being?

Riba, once it enters a person's life, corrupts them on multiple levels. It closes the doors to goodness, affecting their ability to hear, see, and understand positive influences. This ultimately leads to a loss of sensitivity to what is good and halal (permissible).

What are the consequences of engaging in riba according to Islamic teachings?

Engaging in riba leads to severe punishment, including the risk of being cursed by Allah. If one does not repent, they face the threat of eternal punishment in Hell (Jahannam). The curse applies to anyone involved in riba: the lender, borrower, witness, or even the notary involved.

Can the use of conventional banks, which involve riba, be justified in Islam?

While conventional banks are inherently associated with riba, there are exceptions. If Islamic banking alternatives are unavailable or inadequate, the use of conventional banks may be temporarily allowed, but only as a necessary bridge. However, this is not an ideal solution and efforts should be made to find sharia-compliant banking systems.

What is the ruling on notaries working with conventional banks in riba-related transactions?

Notaries who are involved in transactions tied to conventional banks, which may include riba, are not exempt from the prohibition. However, if Islamic alternatives are unavailable, and if it’s essential for the stability of the economy or the transaction, their involvement may be permitted as a temporary measure.

What does the Quran say about the severity of being involved in riba?

The Quran warns that those who engage in riba face the possibility of war with Allah and His Messenger, as outlined in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:279). The threat is severe, and it is considered one of the most serious sins in Islam, leading to significant spiritual consequences.

What is the significance of the hadith regarding the consequences of engaging in riba?

The hadith stresses that those involved in riba—whether they are the givers, receivers, or facilitators—are cursed by Allah. This curse includes not only the individuals directly engaging in riba, but also anyone facilitating or witnessing the transaction, including notaries.

What does the fatwa from Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) say regarding conventional banking?

The fatwa issued by MUI in 2004 allows for the temporary use of conventional banks only if sharia-compliant banks cannot meet the needs of the transaction. The use of conventional banking should be viewed as a temporary measure until a better, sharia-compliant solution is found.

How can an individual's actions, such as prayer or eating, be affected by their intentions in Islam?

In Islam, the intention behind an action is critical in determining whether the act is permissible or not. For example, if someone prays to show off (riya), their prayer, even though it is obligatory, becomes sinful. Similarly, eating haram food, like pork, may be temporarily permitted in cases of extreme necessity, but the motivation remains crucial in defining the act’s permissibility.