Avoiding Riba/Interest/Usury

What exactly is Riba?

Riba (Usury) is of two major kinds: Riba An-Nasia - Interest on lent money and Riba Al-Fadl - Taking a superior thing of the same kind of goods by giving more of the same kind of goods of inferior quality, eg.,dates of superior quality for dates of inferior quality in great amounts.

The definition of Interest, the literal meaning of interest or Al-Riba as it is used in the arabic language means to excess or increase. In the Islamic terminology interest means effortless profit or that profit which comes free from compensation or that extra earning obtained that is free of exchange. Riba has been described as a loan with the condition that the borrower will return to the lender more than and better than the quantity borrowed.

As Muslims, our main concern when it comes to financial transactions is to avoid riba in any of its forms, despite the fact that the basic foundation of the world economics and finance today is that of riba and dealing in usury. The Prophet(saw) has foretold us of a time when the spread of riba would be so overwhelming that it would be extremely difficult for the Muslim to avoid it. This situation calls for Muslims to be extra cautious before deciding on what money payment of financial methods to use in any personal or business transaction.

Below are a few surahs from the Quran to show just how serious Riba is.

The Noble Qur'an - Al-Baqarah 275-281

275. Those who eat Ribâ (usury) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitân (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: "Trading is only like Ribâ (usury)," whereas Allâh has permitted trading and forbidden Ribâ (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Ribâ (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allâh (to judge); but whoever returns [to Ribâ (usury)], such are the dwellers of the Fire - they will abide therein.
276. Allâh will destroy Ribâ (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqât (deeds of charity, alms, etc.) And Allâh likes not the disbelievers, sinners.
277. Truly those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
278. O you who believe! Be afraid of Allâh and give up what remains (due to you) from Ribâ (usury) (from now onward), if you are (really) believers.
279. And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allâh and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums).
280. And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know.
281. And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allâh. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.

The Noble Qur'an - Al-Imran 3:130
O you who believe! Eat not Ribâ (usury) doubled and multiplied, but fear Allâh that you may be successful.

We as Muslimahs must do all that we can to avoid interest, this is a very serious issue that we are faced with everyday. As soon as you finish high school and start college most students are bombarded with credit cards offers providing them with fast and easy money. On top of that most students finance there collegiate careers with student loans that accrue interest. If you want to buy a home, a car or make any sort of large purchase it's most likely going to involve interest. Even if you pay a utility bill late, most companies add interest! This puts people into more and more debt. The difficult part is usually paying off the interest you end up owing not the principal. Avoid credit cards for purchases at all cost. A good rule of thumb is if you don't you have it, you just don't have it. Save your money until you have enough to buy the flat screen t.v., computer, new outfit or what ever it is you want.

For larger purchases it's not always that easy. If you saved up for a new home most people would be saving for a very, very, very long time. So what do we do to avoid this? I'm so glad that you asked. We do have a options available to us. Below are a few resources and options we have to help us avoid riba.

American Finance House

AlBaraka

Devon House

If you know of any other helpful sites please feel free to share and post them in a comment below.

***some information for the post provided from http://www.muttaqun.com/riba.html***

Asalaamu alaikum
Nadira & Najwa

Rock It or Stop It: Make-Up with Hijab

Whether it's for you husband, an all girls gathering or everyday wear. What is it that crosses the line? Is it too much eye liner or mascara? Is it a certain shade of lipstick? Too much eye

shadow?

Is it okay as long as the make-up is natural looking like the above picture?

How about natural with a smokey eye?

What about coordinating your make-up with your hijab?

Is it okay to wear for special occasions?

What are the do's and dont's of make-up and hijab? Wear it but make sure it's light/not to heavy? Wear it as long as you can't tell your wearing it? Wear it only for your hubby? Don't wear it at all, ever?

What do you think ladies, ROCK IT or STOP IT?

Asalaamu alaikum

Nadira & Najwa

Muslim Women to look up to : Hazrat Hafsah

It's important that as Muslimahs we have our own role models to look up to. We don't look to the latest stars, celebrities, models and politicians for our examples. Instead we look to the Muslimahs of yesterday and today. We are beautiful, strong, intelligent women with voices to be heard. Always have been and always will be. We are the mothers, the teachers, the listeners, the supporters and the backbone of our Ummah.

Her name and lineage
Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha) was the daughter of Hazrat Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu), the second Caliph of Islam. She was born four years before the declaration of Prophethood by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Her mother’s name was Zainab bint Mazoon, and Hafsah was also the real sister of the famous companion Uthman Bin Mazoon (Radi’Allahu Anhu).

Marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha)’s first marriage was to Khunais Bin Hazafa who belonged to the family of Banu Sahm. She accepted Islam along with her husband and her parents and migrated to Medina. In the Battle of Badr, Khunais received injuries and because of these, was eventually martyred. Hazrat Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu) was very concerned about Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha)’s re-marriage. At the time, Hazrat Ruqayya (Radi’Allahu Anha) (daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) who was married to Hazrat Uthman (Radi’Allahu Anhu)) also passed away. Knowing this, Hazrat Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu) met with Hazrat Uthman (Radi’Allahu Anhu) and expressed his wish to give his daughter Hafsah in wedlock to him. Hazrat Uthman (Radi’Allahu Anhu) promised to consider but declined after a few days. This disappointed Hazrat Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu).

Hazrat Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu) mentioned the whole episode to Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radi’Allahu Anhu) who remained quite, this further disappointed Hazrat Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu). After this, he himself proposed the re-marriage to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) which the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) accepted. After the marriage, Abu Bakr (Radi’Allahu Anhu) met with Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu), and told him that his silence on the proposal was because he wished to keep secret the intention of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) to marry Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha).

Her Knowledge
Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha) had an excellent knowledge base for religious points. Seeing this eagerness in her, the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) took a keen interest in her learning and education. As many as sixty traditions are reported to be narrated by Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha) on the authority of Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu) and the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

Once the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha), that he hoped all the companions who had fought in the Battle of Badr, and all who were associated with the Peace treaty at Hudaibiya never enter the Hell-Fire. To this Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha) stated, “Allah has declared in the Holy Qur’aan that every one of you shall have to pass over the bridge of Hell. The next part of the verse reads, ‘Then We shall exonerate and save those who feared God in their earthly life and let those who had been unjust fall in the Hell-fire on their knees’.”

Conduct and Behaviour
Ibn-e-Sa’ad stated, “Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha) was constant and persevering in observing her fasts and in her long prayers at night. In another narration, it is stated that she observed fasts even up to her last moment when she left this world.

Hafsa (Radi’Allahu Anha) was a little sharp in temperament, at times she argued with the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Imam Bukhari has narrated in his Book of Traditions on the authority of Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu), who said, “During the pre-Islamic days of Jahiliyya, we cared not in the least for the women folk. Islam granted them a social status and verses of the Holy Qur’aan were revealed in favour of their rights which made us (male Muslims) mindful of their dignity and social status. One day my wife gave her opinion to me on a particular matter. I said to her, ‘What business do you have in extending views and opinion?’ On this she said to me, ‘Ibn-e-Khattab! You do not tolerate even such slight things from me whereas your daughter enters into argument with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), making him unhappy for the whole day.’

Her Death
Hafsah (Radi’Allahu Anha) died in the month of Sha’ban in the year 45AH. Marwan, the governor of Medina said her funeral prayer and accompanied her pier for a long distance. Abu Hurairah (Radi’Allahu Anhu) took the dead body to the precincts of her grave and her brother, Abdullah Bin Umar (Radi’Allahu Anhu), accompanied by his sons, Asim, Salim, Abdullah and Hamzah, laid her to her eternal rest.

***article from http://issmstudents.org.uk/articles/female_comp/Hafsah_ra.asp

***If you know a Muslimah to look up i.e. your Mother, teacher, sister in your community, friend, etc. Send us an email at mail@muslimah2muslimah.com so we can feature them. Tell us why they are a Muslimah to look up to in your opinion along with an image.***

Muslimah Must Have!!! Winter 2009

Left- Matalan Womenswear Papaya Structured Collar Coat Center - Marks & Spencer Autumn Purple Hooded Felt Cape Coat With Belt Right - John Lewis - JL Purple Belted Coat

Every Muslimah needs to have a fabulous jacket in her wardrobe. Jackets are great because it doesn't matter if your wear over garments, jeans, niqab, etc., a jacket goes with anything.

Jackets are also a great way to add color to any ensemble. They are an automatic upgrade for a simple outfit. If your going to get a jacket, classic black is option but why not go with a nice purple like the winter coats above?

Since the above jackets can be a little pricey, here is a more economical version for the hijabi recessionista

This jacket can be found at www.Delias.com for $99.50, http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=51815&categoryID=1935&sizeFilter=&colorFilter=&brandFilter=

Let us know what you think ladies

Happy Shopping!!!

Asalaamu alaikum

Nadira & Najwa