The difference between Ribaa and Haraam Fatwa No: 90958
- Fatwa Date:27-12-2005
Can you help me to differentiate between Ribaa and Haraam?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
We did not understand what you meant by your question about the difference between Ribaa (usury or interest) and what is forbidden. However, in general, every Ribaa is forbidden but not every forbidden matter is Ribaa; there are some kinds of trades/sales and other matters that are forbidden, but it is not Ribaa for a person to sell what he does not own, or sell what he has not yet possessed, and many other types of infractions.
Allaah Knows best.