“O Believers fear Allah and give up that interest which is still due to you, if you are true Believers; but if you do not do so, then you are warned of the declaration of war against you by Allah and His Messenger. If however, you repent even now (and forego interest), you are entitled to your principal; do no wrong, and no wrong will be done to you.” (2:278, 279) This verse was revealed after the conquest of Makkah. Although interest was considered objectionable earlier, it had not been legally prohibited. After the revelation of this verse interest-bearing transactions became a punishable offence within the realm of Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned the Arab tribes through his officials that war would be declared against them if they did not give up interest-bearing transactions. It was specified, for instance, in the agreement under which the Christians of Najran were granted internal autonomy under the suzerainty of the Islamic state, that if they continued to ...

“Has the news of the over-shadowing calamity (of Resurrection) reached you?  Some faces on that Day shall be downcast, labouring, hard, feeling weary, scorching in the blazing fire. They will be given to drink from a boiling fountain, and their only food will be thorny, dry grass, which will neither fatten nor satisfy hunger. Some faces on that Day shall be joyful, well-pleased with their endeavours, in a lofty Garden; there they shall hear no idle talk. In it there will be running springs; in it there will be raised couches; goblets set forth; cushions ranged in rows and fine carpets spread out. (They do not believe) but, do they not look at the camels, how they were created? And at the heaven, how it was raised high? And at the mountains, how they were firmly set? And at the earth, how it was spread out? “Well, (O Prophet,) go on admonishing them, for you are only an admonisher: you are not there to coerce them. But on him who turns away and disbelieves, Allah wil...