by Brigitte Bradford
Islamic scholars called Muftis in the Sunni tradition and Mullahs in the Shia tradition are charged with interpreting this law. The central texts of Sharia law are the holy book of the Qur'an, and the examples set forth by Muhammad and his early followers are documented in a collection of texts called the Hadith. To render a legal opinion, scholars weigh an action or principle against these texts and determine if it is in accordance with the spirit of the law.
Sharia law is very clear about charging interest on loans. The Qur'an forbids usury, or riba, in four different revelations based on the belief that money is only a medium of exchange and has no value in itself. Islam has not relented to pressures from the marketplace and has maintained its stance that charging interest on loans is usurious and a violation of Islamic law.
However, by differentiating trade from usury, the Qur'an reaffirms the practice of trading as a respectable profession. The importance of trading partnerships has motivated financial intermediaries to find creative ways to help Muslims access loans without violating Islamic law.
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4:28 AM
Moderate Islamist here
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