يَمۡحَقُ اللّٰهُ الرِّبٰوا وَيُرۡبِى الصَّدَقٰتِؕ وَاللّٰهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ اَثِيۡمٍ۔
"Allah destroys Riba (interest, usury) and nourishes Sadaqah (charity). And Allah does not like any sinful disbeliever."
In this verse it was said that Allah Ta'alah eradicates Riba and lets Sadaqat grow. Here Riba has been mentioned in the same sentence as Sadaqah as both of those are contradictory to each other in their very nature, as well as in their consequences.
In Sadaqah one gives to others what belongs to him without expectation of any material reward or return, while in Riba one takes from others what belongs to them without any compensation or return. The one who gives Sadaqah intends to reduce his material wealth by giving it to others solely for the purpose of seeking pleasure of Allah Ta'alah and earning thawab (merit) in the Hereafter. The person who takes Riba intends to increase his wealth by taking from others what he is not allowed to take under the rules of Shariah, and in this transaction he does not take any risk and the other person does not get any benefit in return. What this verse means is that while apparently the wealth of the person who gives Sadaqah decreases but in fact Allah Ta'alah increases his wealth and its Barakah (blissful abundance) for him. On the other hand, even though the wealth of the person who is taking Riba apparently increases but in reality Allah Ta'alah erases those material gains and takes away it Barakah.
What is meant by "destroying interest"? Some commentators of the Quran have said that this erasure of gains is related to the Aakhirah (Hereafter) in that the wealth of the person who takes Riba will be useless for him and will be a reason for his punishment, while the wealth of the person who gives Sadaqah will become a source of eternal blessings and pleasure for him. Other commentators have said that some effects of this 'destruction' and 'gain' also become apparent in this world. What needs to be understood is what is the true purpose of accumulating wealth. Is the true purpose and objective just being happy about the increasing numbers in one's bank account, or is the true purpose to earn happiness of the heart, peace of mind and internal tranquility? If everyone ponders objectively they can easily find out in their own hearts who has more internal happiness and tranquility, the person who regularly gives Sadaqah, or the person who takes Riba to increase his wealth.
Adapted from Ma'ariful Quran, by Mufti Muhammad Shafi REhmatullah Elaih
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