With Islamic banking gradually becoming a more influential factor in the West, an analysis of the concept of riba – a definition of which is not given in the Qur’an – is long overdue. This text presents readers with various interpretations of this Islamic economic concept – generally perceived as ‘interest’. Thomas provides a framework for understanding riba by examining:
- linguistics
- classical judicial analysis
- the historical context
- modern economics.
Including contributions from prominent international scholars, the book fills a gap in the existing literature and will be welcomed by academics and professionals with an interest in Islamic studies, economics and legal history.
The Book of Riba (proposed new title: Understanding Riba)
Table of Contents
Introduction – by Sh. Yusuf Talal DeLorenzo
Chapter 1: Riba in Lisan Al Arab, translators Abdulkader Thomas and Ruba Alfattouh
Chapter 2: In the Shadow of Deuteronomy, Vincent Cornell
Chapter 3: The Juridical Meaning of Riba, Sh. Wahba Al Zuhaili, translators Iman Abdul Rahim and Abdulkader Thomas
Chapter 4: An Overview of the Sharia’a Prohibition of Riba, Emad H. Khalil
Chapter 5: The Modern Debate over Riba in Egypt, Emad H. Khalil with Abdulkader Thomas
Chapter 6: Why has Islam Prohibited Interest, M. Umer Chapra
Chapter 7: An Attempt to Understand the Economic Wisdom (Hikma) in the prohibition of Riba, Mahmoud A. El-Gamal
Chapter 8: What is Riba, Abdulkader Thomas
Appendix: The Challenges in Pakistan, M. Akram Khan with Abdulkader Thomas
Biography
Abdulkader Thomas
'The volume is a useful reference for anyone wishing to understand the Koranic roots of the prohibition of interest, and of how this evolved in the four main schools of Islamic law.' - Middle Eastern Studies
'This book is comprehensive; it consists of scholarly papers and it is a must read for all students of Islamic economics and finance. The editor deserves our compliments for doing a good job in presenting all the angles on the debate of interest.' - Muhammad Akram Khan, The Muslim World Book Review, 2009