According to Islamic teachings, riba (usury or interest) is considered a more severe sin than zina (unlawful sexual intercourse).
Islamic Perspective on Riba and Zina
The severity of sins in Islam is not uniform; certain actions carry greater weight and consequences than others. Riba is condemned very strongly due to its potential for economic exploitation and injustice. Zina, while also prohibited, is seen differently in terms of its impact on society.
Sunan Ibn Majah's Hadith
A key piece of evidence that illustrates the gravity of riba comes from a Hadith found in Sunan Ibn Majah:
The Prophet Muhammad declared that the practice of riba is worse than "a man committing zina (fornication) with his own mother." He further stated that there are 70 sins of riba. The minimum sin of these seventy is equal to committing adultery with one's mother, and the greatest riba is dishonoring any Muslim.
This Hadith highlights:
- Severity of Riba: The comparison to incestuous acts makes it clear that the act of dealing in Riba is regarded as extremely grave.
- Graded Sins: It illustrates that riba has various levels of severity, with the "least" still being comparable to a horrific act.
- The Greatest Riba: It also indicates that the highest form of riba involves a grave injustice and violation of a Muslim's honor, which is considered worse than the previously mentioned offense.
Table Summary of Riba vs Zina
| Aspect | Riba (Usury/Interest) | Zina (Unlawful Sexual Intercourse) |
|---|---|---|
| Severity (as per hadith) | Worse than committing zina with one's own mother | A major sin, but less severe compared to Riba |
| Impact | Economic exploitation, injustice, societal imbalance | Violation of moral and religious principles |
| Graded Sins | Multiple levels of severity, from least to most severe. | Usually not described in the same graded severity. |
Understanding the Difference
- Riba's Broader Impact: Riba is seen to cause societal breakdown, economic disparity and can lead to the exploitation of the vulnerable.
- Zina's Personal and Societal Impact: While Zina is a major sin with societal implications, it is viewed more as a personal moral failing compared to riba's widespread impact.
Practical Insights
- Avoiding Riba: Muslims are encouraged to engage in permissible financial transactions, avoiding interest-based dealings.
- Seeking Repentance: If one has engaged in either riba or zina, sincere repentance and efforts to make amends are crucial.
Conclusion
Based on the hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah, the practice of riba is considered a greater sin than zina, even reaching a point of comparison with incest, while also causing wider societal issues.
