1st Edition

Interest in Islamic Economics Understanding Riba

By Abdulkader Thomas Copyright 2006
    160 Pages
    by Routledge

    160 Pages
    by Routledge

    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