The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 55
II - Brief Note on Islāmic Equality 55 when there was no usury international trade functioned and God-willing shall function so in the future. Moreover, the notion that only such usury is prohibited which is charged at a large percentage or compound interest alone, is nothing more than self- deception which takes root in the hearts of such weak people as have fallen into this immoral pit. Otherwise, Islām has prohibited all forms of usury. Moreover, the truth is, that a harmful thing remains harmful, be it a small amount or a greater amount. 4. Fourthly, Islām has prohibited all forms of revenue generated by gambling, the basis of which is merely chance. Through this means, the door for the inequitable division of wealth in the nation and country is opened as well. As such, Allāh the Exalted states: ْ يَا اَيُّهَا الَّذِين َ آمَنُوا اِنَّمَا الْخَمْر ُ وَالْمَيْسِر ُ وَالْاَنصَاب ُ وَالْاَزْلَام ُ رِجْس ٌ مِّن َ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُون “O Ye Muslims! Wine and the game of chance and idols and divining arrows are indeed satanic deeds. So shun each one of them so that you may prosper and succeed. ” 1 In this verse, the principle that gambling is from among those satanic deeds, which are ones to destroy the successful life of nations has been mentioned. The reason for this is that in gambling, the acquisition of wealth is based on mere chance as opposed to labour and skill, which is not only catastrophic to national morality but also becomes a means for the unjust division of national wealth. Apparently, this seems like a minor injunction, but it puts significant light on the exquisite perspective which Islām strives to establish in its economic and moral system. That is to say, that the revenues of the Muslims should be based on labour and skill, not on coincidental happenings. The word ‘Maisir’ which has been derived from ‘Yusrun’ (i. e. , ease and convenience) has also been devised in order to allude to the truth that the revenue of gambling is not based on labour and skill, rather, it is acquired 1 Al-Mā’idah (5:91)