The Parable of the One Consumed by Interest – The Distortion of Morality
In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275), Allah presents a vivid parable describing those who engage in usury (riba). The verse likens their state on the Day of Judgement to someone driven to madness by Satan’s touch. This parable exposes the spiritual and ethical decay caused by riba and contrasts it with the purity of trade that is lawful in Islam.
The Analogy in the Quran
Allah says:
Context of the Parable
This verse was revealed in a society where riba (usury or interest) was a deeply embedded economic practice. The Quraysh and other Arab tribes often exploited the poor through excessive interest. The parable comes as part of a larger passage in Surah Al-Baqarah that strongly warns against riba while laying out ethical foundations for financial transactions in an Islamic society. It serves both as a moral awakening and a legal demarcation between halal trade and haram usury.
Key Elements of the Analogy
Standing like one driven mad by Satan
The person who indulges in riba will rise on the Day of Judgement in a state of mental and physical distortion—like someone possessed or overcome by insanity.
This symbolises the inner corruption and moral chaos riba causes in the soul, turning the human conscience upside down.
Equating trade with riba
The offenders justify their actions by claiming, “Trade is no different than interest.”
This highlights a deeper problem: the twisting of moral reasoning, where harmful actions are disguised as acceptable through flawed comparisons.
Divine distinction between trade and riba
Allah makes a clear declaration: “Allah has permitted trading and forbidden interest.”
While trade involves mutual benefit and fairness, riba thrives on exploitation and imbalance—especially of the poor and needy.
The path of repentance vs. defiance
Those who, upon receiving the warning, abstain from riba will not be held accountable for the past.
But those who return to it after the warning are condemned to eternal punishment—emphasising the gravity of this sin.
The Warning in the Parable
The parable offers a severe warning: those who persist in usury after knowing the truth will face the torment of Hell. Their state on the Day of Judgement mirrors the chaos they caused in the worldly system—one based on greed, oppression, and moral blindness. It also reveals how riba undermines not only economic justice but also spiritual clarity.
Final Thoughts
This parable calls for deep reflection on how financial systems shape character and society. It urges believers to pursue livelihoods rooted in fairness, mercy, and responsibility. By forbidding riba, Islam protects both the soul of the individual and the integrity of the community. The analogy is a powerful reminder that not all profit is praiseworthy—some forms come at the cost of one's humanity.