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What Riba Really Means — and Why It Still Matters
Riba Isn’t Just “Interest” — It’s Bigger Than That
Saâd Dhif
August 20, 2025
In partnership with
Zooming out
We live in a world where financial literacy is more accessible than ever — and yet, for many Muslims, one of the most important concepts in Islam remains a fog: Riba.
It's more than just "interest."
It's more than just a technical rule buried in books.
It’s a concept that defines the moral boundary of finance in Islam.
This week, we’re sharing a free educational guide that’s long overdue:
“Making Sense of Riba” by my Mufti Faraz Adam — a good friend of mine and one of the most respected scholars in the field of Islamic finance today.
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Why You Should Read It
This guide isn’t just for academics or scholars.
It’s for:
Muslims who want to understand where to draw the line when saving or investing.
Professionals who feel unease with the financial system — but don’t have clear answers.
Anyone who wants to build wealth ethically, and avoid ambiguity
Mufti Faraz covers:
✅ What riba really is — from the Qur’an to the modern banking system
✅ Why it’s unjust — and not just outdated
✅ How to recognize it in today’s economy
✅ What the alternatives are — so you can still grow your wealth, the right way
He also dismantles common excuses like:
❌ “It’s only a small interest rate, it doesn’t count”
❌ “Riba was about ancient debt slavery — not today’s economy”
❌ “If I don't take interest, I'll fall behind”
The truth?
Riba is more relevant than ever.
The Bigger Picture
Riba is at the heart of why our global financial system feels broken.
In a world where:
Savings lose value every year
Debt fuels consumption instead of creation
Banks profit while people get poorer…
…understanding riba is the first step to seeing the bigger picture.
Final Thought
Riba is not about fear.
It’s about freedom — financial, spiritual, and moral.
If we want to build something better — as individuals or as a community — we need to go back to first principles.
And this guide is a beautiful place to start.
Download the Guide
We partnered with Mufti Faraz to share this guide with our community.
Download “Making Sense of Riba” here:
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Sincerely,
Saâd
from Swiss Islamic Finance