Bowing Before the Commandments of God
Al-Risala (English), September-December 1997, p. 32
By Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan is named as the default author of the periodical; a piece that carries another writer’s byline is credited to that writer.
Bowing Before the Commandments of God
1997 9-12 September-December 32 Bowing Before the Commandments of God (202) There was a family of the Thaqif tribe of Ta’if, named Banu ‘Amr ibn ‘Umayr, and another from Banu Makhzum, named Banu Mughirah who, during the Period of Ignorance, (that is, before Islam) used to conduct usurious transactions amongst themselves. After the conquest of Makkah, both families accepted Islam. But at that time, the Banu Mughirah still owed a certain amount of money to the Banu ‘Amr ibn ‘Umayr, 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. Attab 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 Qur’an: “Believers, have fear of God and waive what is still due to you from usury, if your faith be true; or war shall be declared against you by God and His apostle” (2:278279). The attitude of the Banu ‘Amr ibn ‘Umayr immediately changed when they heard this verse and they said, “We turn to God and waive the interest still due.” (Ibn Kathir, Tafsir)
