Brilio.net - In Islamic teachings, usury is a form of transaction that is forbidden because it is considered to harm one party and benefit another party unfairly. Usury has a very damaging impact, both from an economic, moral, and social perspective. Therefore, understanding the types of usury is very important to avoid financial practices that are contrary to Islamic law.
This article will discuss in depth the types of usury that exist in Islamic law, as well as provide a detailed explanation of each type of usury that needs to be avoided in everyday life.
1. Riba fadhl (Riba in exchange of goods)
Usury fadhl occurs in the transaction of buying and selling or exchanging similar goods but having different quality or quantity. This type of usury is related to the imbalance in the value of the goods exchanged, where one party gains more profit than the other party.
An example of riba fadhl is when someone exchanges gold for gold, but one party gives more gold than they should receive. In Islam, when exchanging the same type of goods, such as gold for gold or wheat for wheat, the quantity and quality of the goods exchanged must be the same. If one party gets more or better than the other, then it falls into the category of riba fadhl.
Islam teaches that all buying and selling transactions must be fair, and both parties must receive equal rights according to the value of the goods being transacted.
2. Riba nasi'ah (Riba in time delay)
Riba nasi'ah is a type of usury that occurs due to delays in payment or additional time in debt transactions. In riba nasi'ah, the additional payment time is accompanied by an increase in the amount of money to be paid, so that the lender gets a greater profit than what is lent.
For example, someone borrows Rp1,000,000 with the condition that they must pay Rp1,200,000 if the payment is made after the specified time. This additional amount is riba nasi'ah, because the lender takes advantage of the delay in payment.
Riba nasi'ah is one of the most common types of usury in conventional banking practices, where interest is added to the loan amount if it is not paid on time. In Islam, such transactions are prohibited because they burden the borrower and provide unfair advantages to the lender.
3. Riba qardh (Usury in debt)
Riba qardh occurs when someone gives a loan to another party on the condition that the borrower must return more than the amount lent. Loans that should be social or helpful are instead used to gain profit.
An example of riba qardh is when someone lends money of Rp 5,000,000 on the condition that the borrower must return Rp 5,500,000 at a specified time. The addition of this amount of money is not the result of a sale and purchase agreement or exchange of goods, but solely because of the loan, which is prohibited in Islam.
Islam teaches that giving loans should be a form of kindness and social assistance without expecting more profit than what has been given.
4. Usury jahiliyah (Riba that occurred in pre-Islamic times)
Usury of the Jahiliyah is a type of usury that occurred in the era before Islam came. At that time, people who had debts were required to pay more than what was borrowed if they were unable to pay it off at the specified time. Usury of the Jahiliyah became one form of oppression against the economically weak.
For example, someone who borrows 10 dinars and is unable to pay on time, the lender will increase the amount of his debt to 15 dinars, and it will continue to increase over time. This usury is clearly prohibited because it further plunges the borrower into greater difficulties.
Islam strictly forbids the practice of usury during the days of ignorance, because this system is very detrimental and oppressive to the less fortunate.
5. Usury in buying and selling transactions (Riba buyu')
Usury in a transaction occurs when there is a delay in the delivery of goods or payment. In Islam, when someone makes a sale and purchase, the goods and money should be delivered immediately and there should be no delay or additional amount.
A simple example of usury buyu' is when someone buys gold, but the payment is delayed until a certain time and then there is an additional amount of payment that must be made. This falls into the category of usury because there is injustice in the time and value exchanged.
Islam recommends conducting sales transactions fairly and clearly, without delays that unfairly benefit one party.
Usury in its various forms is clearly prohibited in Islamic teachings because it has detrimental effects, both for individuals and society in general. Usury fadhl, riba nasi'ah, riba qardh, riba jahiliyah, and riba in buying and selling all have different characteristics, but basically all violate the principle of justice in transactions.
Understanding these types of usury is important to avoid financial practices that are contrary to sharia. Islam emphasizes the importance of justice in every transaction and avoids any form of exploitation that can harm one party. Thus, keeping transactions free from usury is not only adhering to religious rules, but also maintaining harmony and justice in the economy.