Bowing before the commandments of God

Bowing before the commandments of God

1988 9 September 11 Bowing before the commandments of God (203) There was a family of the Thaqeef tribe of Taif, named Banu Amr ibn Umair, and another from the Banu Makhzoom, named Banu Mughirah who, during the Period of Ignorance (that is, before Islam) used to conduct usurious transactions amongst themselves. After the conquest of Mecca, both families accepted Islam, but, at that time, the Banu Mughirah still owed a certain amount of money to the Banu Amr ibn Umair, who demanded repayment of the debt. The Banu Mughirah conferred amongst themselves and decided that they would pay no interest (on any loans made to them) from the earnings they made after their acceptance of Islam. This naturally caused much dissension. Allab ibn Usayd as a representative of the Prophet in the area, informed the latter of the situation. In reply, the Prophet recited this verse of the Quran: “Believers, have fear of God and waive what is due to you from usury, if your faith be true; or war shall be declared against you by God and His Apostle” (2: 278-279). The attitude of the Banu Amr ibn Umair immediately changed when they heard this verse and they said, “We turn to God and waive the interest still due.”

(Tafseer Ibn Kathir)