RIBA, GHEEBAH AND BHUHTAAN

Riba ...

Riba is interest. A common form of interest is the extra money that a person receives on the amount that he deposited in the bank. It is Haraam. So we do not have the right to use it for food, for clothing, for paying rent or to pay a fine. In the same way, we do not have the right to use it in the construction of toilets, houses, Masdjid or Madrassah.

Firstly, you must not deal in a transaction of interest. If the money of interest is already obtained, you must get rid of it by giving it to very poor people and those who are in extreme difficulties, without the intention of Sawaab (the reward).

A transaction of Riba (interest) is like declaring war against Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ‎(Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam)‎. Consuming a Dirham of interest intentionally is graver than committing Zina 36 times. According to a Hadith, Rasulullah‎ (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam)‎ said that Riba (the interest) has 70 levels (of gravity). The least is like a person who has sex with his mother.

So, Riba is something very grave, but the ignorant ones are taking it lightly.

...  Gheebah ...

 Gheebah is to backbite a person and this is graver than the interest.

... Bhuhtaan

Bhuhtaan means to falsely accuse someone. This is also a great sin which is graver than Gheebah.

Often, it is assumed that the rumours are true and based on it, people accused others. It is a kind of Bhuhtaan which is graver than Gheebah, Riba and Zina. That's why Rasulullah‎ ‎(Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam)‎ advised us to remain silent if we don't have anything good to say.

[English version of "Riba, Gheebat et Bouhtaan" – Al Jamiat – Vol.3 No.10]