يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَذَرُوا۟ مَا بَقِىَ مِنَ ٱلرِّبَوٰٓا۟ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ 278
Translations
O you who have believed, fear Allāh and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers.
Transliteration
Ya ayyuha alladhina amanu ittaqu Allaha wa dharoo ma baqiya mina al-riba in kuntum mu'minin
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah commands believers to fear Allah and abandon all remaining interest (riba) if they truly have faith. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that this verse represents a decisive prohibition on riba after earlier verses had warned against it, with the condition 'if you are believers' serving as both motivation and accountability—implying that abandoning riba is essential evidence of true faith. Al-Tabari notes that this ayah was revealed during the Medinan period when the Islamic economic system was being established, making the prohibition of riba a cornerstone of Islamic financial ethics.
Revelation Context
This verse is part of a passage (2:275-281) that comprehensively addresses the prohibition of riba (usury/interest). Revealed in Madinah, it follows earlier Meccan verses that introduced the concept of riba's prohibition, now reinforcing it with greater clarity and urgency as the Muslim community developed its economic structures. The phrase 'what remains' suggests there may have been outstanding riba transactions that believers needed to settle or abandon.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The greatest sin is to associate partners with Allah, then to disobey parents, and then to deal in riba.' (Reported by Ahmad and authenticated by scholars). Additionally, in Sahih Muslim, Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet cursed 'the one who consumes riba, the one who gives it, the one who witnesses it, and the one who records it.'
Themes
Key Lesson
True faith (iman) is demonstrated through concrete actions, particularly in financial dealings—believers must align their economic practices with Islamic principles out of sincere consciousness of Allah. This ayah teaches that religious commitment extends beyond ritual worship into all aspects of life, including business and finance, and that resisting societal norms around interest requires genuine conviction and courage.
Related Ayahs
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَمَاتُوا۟ وَهُمْ كُفَّارٌ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ عَلَيْهِمْ لَعْنَةُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Indeed, those who disbelieve and die while they are disbelievers - upon them will be the curse of Allāh and of the angels and the people, all together,
زُيِّنَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ۘ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوْا۟ فَوْقَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَرْزُقُ مَن يَشَآءُ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ
Beautified for those who disbelieve is the life of this world, and they ridicule those who believe. But those who fear Allāh are above them on the Day of Resurrection. And Allāh gives provision to whom He wills without account.
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ
And when they meet those who believe, they say, "We believe"; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, "Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers."
قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُۥ نَزَّلَهُۥ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Say, "Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel - it is [none but] he who has brought it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down upon your heart, [O Muḥammad], by permission of Allāh, confirming that which was before it and as guidance and good tidings for the believers."