In the year 2008, a severe financial crisis struck the world. Millions of people lost their jobs, house prices fell, and people drowned in extreme debt. So, what caused this pivot that afflicted the masses? The years before it happened, banks offered low interest, which resulted in many individuals loaning large amounts of money, which they couldn’t repay. As a result, both banks and borrowers went broke. What can I say? Agree or disagree, dollar signs make people foolish, or insensible to step back from temptations.
Today, banks continue to sprinkle us with their generous or practical way to own a house or a car. The phrase rent to own is powerful, entangling us with the burden of interest. A burden not only in this world but in the afterlife, too. Riba, or interest, is a known major sin, so why do we continue to engage in this wrongful act?
The perpetrating of this sin breeds. It asks you to loan again, again, and again. It steals your peace of mind. Gradually disrupt your relationship with friends, family, and with Allah. This wrongdoing reveals the defect of one’s trust in Allah and the lack of fear. It is an act that angers Allah. An action that infuriates him, declaring war against those who will commit this insult.
Allah is rich, Allah is generous, and Allah is the one who provides. So, why do we veer away from his commandments and continue to doubt him? The universe vindicates Allah’s power and his power proves our weakness. Therefore, when he tells us he will provide, he will.
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said:
وَلِلّٰهِ مُلْكُ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَا لْاَ رْضِ ۗ وَا للّٰهُ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْرٌ
"And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is over all things competent."
(QS. Aal-i-Imraan 3: Verse 189)
One time, a sister told me her reason for committing Riba. According to her, she feels regretful about renting a house that she won’t own. She thought the loan was reasonable. Truth is, human intellect is feeble, incapable of comprehending the wisdom behind Allah’s commandments. However, Allah provided us with a manual book, or the Quran, to follow and live our lives with guidance. Therefore, no matter what we think is right, if it is against the law of Allah, it will never be right.
Imperfection causes us to commit errors, but as long as we are breathing—we still have the time to repent and correct ourselves. To bid goodbye to a home that we treasured is tough. However we try, it will be excruciating. Yet, when we leave something we love for the sake of Allah, the reward is unimaginable.
Ibn Al Qayyim said:
“...the one who knows that places where rain falls and the life it leads to is not scared of the darkness, thunder, and lightning, in fact, he rejoices in it and is happy with it because of the life and fertility he expects from it.” [1]
In conclusion, don’t be afraid of the darkness, thunder, and lightning in this life, rather, be afraid of the painful punishment in the next life. Do not regret giving up what we have invested in this world. Instead, be regretful to lose the promised paradise. Remember, gaining the pleasure of Allah is the ultimate success.
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala said:
يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوا اصْبِرُوْا وَصَا بِرُوْا وَرَا بِطُوْا ۗ وَا تَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ
"O you who have believed, persevere and endure and remain stationed and fear Allah that you may be successful."
Aal-i-Imraan 3:200
Reference: [1] Remembrance of the Most Merciful by Ibn Al Qayyim, pg. 149
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