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Abdullah Yusuf Ali

That which ye lay out for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah: but that which ye lay out for charity, seeking the Countenance of Allah, (will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied.

Riba is any increase sought through illegal means such as usury, bribery, profiteering, fraudulent trading etc. All unlawful grasping of wealth at other people’s expense is condemned. Economic selfishness and many kinds of sharp practices, individual, national, and international come under this ban. The principle is that any profit, which we should seek, should be through our own exertions and at our own expense, however we may wrap up the process in the spacious phraseology of high finance and city jargon. We should show our active love for our neighbor by spending of our own substance or resources or the utilization of our own talents and opportunities in the service of those who need them. Then our reward or recompense will not be merely what we deserve. It will be multiplied to many times more than our strict account.

Abdul Majid Daryabadi

And whatever you give in gift in order that it may increase among the substance of men does not increase with Allah and what you pay in poor-rate seeking the favour of Allah, then these they shall have manifold increase.

Riba is literally ’An excess and an addition’. Here it means anything that is spent not in the way of God but merely to conform to convention , such as is the practice on many ceremonial occasions, and with a view to receive back more.

E H Palmer

And what-ye put out to usury that it may increase with the wealth of men, it shall not increase with God; but what ye put- out in alms, desiring the face of God-these it is who shall gain double.

Hasan Qaribullah

That which you give in usury so that it increases in other people's wealth, will not increase with Allah; but the charity you give desiring the Face of Allah, to those, they shall be recompensed many times over

H S Aziz

And whatever you lay out as usury, so that it may increase in the property of men, it has no increase with Allah; but that which you give in charity, desiring Allah's countenance (presence, pleasure) has increase manifold.

There is an absolute distinction between lending for usury and charity. Usury is done selfishly for one's own worldly benefit. Charity is done for the sake of others and for Allah. One flows from the ego and the other from the spirit. One takes, the other gives. It is clear that a system such as Capitalism which depends on taking from others must lead to injustice, deprivation, conflict, coercion, inequality, greed, hate, isolation, division and disintegration of society, while one which depends on giving has the opposite effect. Taking requires force and compulsion, while giving is voluntary and leaves human initiative, responsibility, control and dignity in tact. Yet giving and taking are two sides of the same coin and should make no difference to commerce.

Khan and Halali

And that which you give in gift (to others), in order that it may increase (your wealth by expecting to get a better one in return) from other people's property, has no increase with Allâh, but that which you give in Zakât seeking Allâh's Countenance then those, they shall have manifold increase

MuhammadAsad

MuhammadAyub

And what you give in usury, that it may increase upon people's wealth, does not increase with God; but what you give in alms, desiring God's attention, shall get the increase manifold

M H Shakir

And whatever you lay out as usury, so that it may increase in the property of men, it shall not increase with Allah; and whatever you give in charity, desiring Allah's pleasure-- it is these (persons) that shall get manifold

M M Pickthall

That which ye give in usury in order that it may increase on (other) people's property hath no increase with Allah; but that which ye give in charity, seeking Allah's Countenance, hath increase manifold

N J
Dawood

That which you seek to increase by usury will  not be blessed by Allah; but the alms you give for His sake shall be repaid to you many times over.

Rashad Khalifa

The usury that is practiced to increase some people's wealth, does not gain anything at GOD. But if you give to charity, seeking GOD's pleasure, these are the ones who receive their reward manifold

T B Irving

Any usury you farm out so it will be increased from (other) people's wealth will never increase so far as God is concerned; while those of you who pay something as welfare tax while you seek God's face, will have it multiplied.

ZohurulHaque

And whatever you give in usury that it may increase in the wealth of people, - it does not then cause increase in the sight of Allah. But what you pay as the Zakat desiring the countenance of Allah then such are themselves the manifold gainers.

give (lend)
in the wealth of people (at the expense of fellowmen, so that the poor suffers misery, the rich enjoys it)

Translator

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Abdullah Yusuf Ali

O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubled and multiplied; but fear Allah; that ye may (really) prosper.

E H Palmer

O ye who believe! devour not usury doubly doubled, but fear God, perchance ye may be prosperous.

Hasan Qaribullah

Believers, do not consume usury, doubled and redoubled, and fear Allah, in order that you shall prosper.

H S Aziz

O ye who believe! Devour not usury doubling and redoubling, but do your duty to Allah that you may be successful

Khan and Halali

O you who believe! Eat not Ribâ (usury)doubled and multiplied, but fear Allâh that you may be successful.

Muhammad Asad

Muhammad Ayub

O Believers, do not devour usury, doubled and redoubled, and fear God that you may prosper.

M H Shakir

O you who believe! do not devour usury, making it double and redouble, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful

M M Pickthall

O ye who believe! Devour not usury, doubling and quadrupling (the sum lent). Observe your duty to Allah, that ye may be successful.

N J Dawood

Believers , do not live on usury, doubling your wealth many times over. Have fear of Allah, and you shall prosper.

Rashad Khalifa

O you who believe, you shall not take usury, compounded over and over. Observe GOD,
that you may succeed.

Interest on bank deposits and interest charged on loans are lawful if they are not excessive (5-15%). Banks invest and their profits are passed on to the depositors. Since all parties are happy and no one is victimized, it is perfectly lawful to take interest from the bank (see 2:275).

T B Irving

You who believe, do not live off usury which is compounded over and over again. Heed God so that you may prosper

Zohurul Haque

O ye who believe, do not devour usury, doubling and redoubling ; and revere Allah so that you may attain prosperity.

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Abdullah  Yusuf Ali

That they took usury, though they were forbidden; and that they devoured men's substance wrongfully;- we have prepared for those among them who reject faith a grievous punishment

E H Palmer

And for their taking usury when we had forbidden it, and for their devouring the wealth of people in vain,- but we have prepared for those of them who misbelieve a grievous woe.

Hasan Qaribullah

And for their taking of usury, that they were prohibited, and consuming the wealth of people in falsehood, for the unbelievers among them We have prepared a painful punishment.

H S Aziz

And for their taking usury when We had forbidden it, and for their vain devouring of the wealth of people by false pretenses, We have prepared for those of them who misbelieve a grievous woe.

Khan and Halali

And their taking of Ribâ (usury) though they were forbidden from taking it and their devouring of men's substance wrongfully (bribery, etc.). And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful torment.

Muhammad Asad

Muhammad Ayub

And their taking usury, though they were forbidden it, and their devouring people's wealth falsely; and We have prepared for the unbelievers among them a painful punishment

M H Shakir

And their taking usury though indeed they were forbidden it and their devouring the property of people falsely, and We have prepared for the unbelievers from among them a painful chastisement.

M M Pickthall

And of their taking usury when they were forbidden it, and of their devouring people's wealth by false pretences, We have prepared for those of them who disbelieve a painful doom

N J Dawood

Because they practice usury - although they were forbidden it- and cheat others of of their possessions. We have prepared stern chastisement  for those of them that disbelieve.

Rashad Khalifa

And for practicing usury, which was forbidden, and for consuming the people's money illicitly. We have prepared for the disbelievers among them painful retribution.

T B Irving

And took usury although they had been forbidden to, and idly consumed other people's wealth, We have reserved painful torment for those among them who are disbelievers.

Zohurul Haque

And their taking of usury (by oppressing the poor) - though they had already been forbidden it - and their consuming the property of (other) people unjustly. And We have prepared for the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.

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Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (The offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein (for ever).

E H Palmer

Those who devour usury shall not rise again, save as he riseth whom Satan hath paralysed with a touch; and that is because they say ‘selling is only like usury,’ but God has made selling lawful and usury unlawful; and he to whom the admonition from his Lord has come, if he desists, what has gone before is his: his matter is in God’s hands. But whosoever returns (to usury) these are the fellows of the Fire, and they shall dwell therein for aye.

Hasan Qaribullah

Those who consume usury shall not rise up (from their tomb) except as he who rises in madness that satan has touched. That is because they say: 'Selling is like usury.' Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury. To whomsoever an exhortation comes from his Lord then he desists, he shall have his past gains, and his matter is with Allah. But whoever reverts shall be among the people of the Fire and shall remain in it for ever

H S Aziz

Those who devour usury shall not rise again, save as he rises whom Satan hath paralyzed with a touch; and that is because they say "trade is only like usury," but Allah has made selling (or trade) lawful and usury unlawful; and he to whom the admonition from his Lord has come, if he desists, he can keep his past gains: his matter is in Allah's hands. But whosoever returns (to usury) these are the Fellows of the Fire, and they shall dwell therein.

Khan and Halali

Those who eat Ribâ (usury) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Shaitân (Satan) leading him to insanity. That is because they say: "Trading is only like Ribâ (usury)," whereas Allâh has permitted trading and forbidden Ribâ (usury). So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating Ribâ (usury) shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allâh (to judge); but whoever returns [to Ribâ (usury)], such are the dwellers of the Fire - they will abide therein.

Muhammad Asad

Muhammad Ayub

Those who devour usury stand not but as stands one whom Devil has confounded with touch; that is because they say, `trading is only like usury'; but God has permitted trading and forbidden usury. Now to whom an admonition from his Lord reaches and he gives over, he may have what is past, and his affair is committed to God. But those who revert, they are the people of the Fire; they shall dwell therein forever.

M H Shakir

Those who swallow down usury cannot arise except as one whom Shaitan has prostrated by (his) touch does rise. That is because they say, trading is only like usury; and Allah has allowed trading and forbidden usury. To whomsoever then the admonition has come from his Lord, then he desists, he shall have what has already passed, and his affair is in the hands of Allah; and whoever returns (to it)-- these arc the inmates of the fire; they shall abide in it

M M Pickthall

Those who swallow usury cannot rise up save as he ariseth whom the devil hath prostrated by (his) touch. That is because they say: Trade is just like usury; whereas Allah permitteth trading and forbiddeth usury. He unto whom an admonition from his Lord cometh, and (he) refraineth (in obedience thereto), he shall keep (the profits of) that which is past, and his affair (henceforth) is with Allah. As for him who returneth (to usury) - Such are rightful owners of the Fire. They will abide therein.

N J Dawood

Those who live on usury shall rise up before Allah like men whom Satan  has demented by his touch; for they claim that usury is like trading. But Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury. He that receives an admonition from his Lord and mends his ways may keep what he has already earned; his fate is in the hands of Allah. But he that pays no heed shall be consigned to Hell-fire and shall remain in it for ever.

Rashad Khalifa

Those who charge usury are in the same position as those controlled by the devil's influence. This is because they claim that usury is the same as commerce. However, GOD permits commerce, and prohibits usury. Thus, whoever heeds this commandment from his Lord, and refrains from usury, he may keep his past earnings, and his judgment rests with GOD. As for those who persist in usury, they incur Hell, wherein they abide forever.

It is an established economic principle that excessive interest on loans can utterly destroy a whole country. During the last few years we have witnessed the devastation of the economies of many nations where excessive interest is charged. Normal interest - where no one is victimized and everyone is satisfied, is not usury.

T B Irving

Those who live off the interest on loans will never stand up, except in the way those whom Satan knocks down with a fitrise up again. That is because they say: "Trading is just like taking interest." Yet God has permitted trading and forbidden taking interest . Anyone who receives such an instruction from his Lord and stops doing so, may keep whatever [capital] is a thing of the past, while his case rests with God; yet those who do so over and over again will become inmates of the Fire, to remain there for ever.

Zohurul Haque

Those who consume usury, they do not stand except like the standing of one whom the Evil-one has confounded with touch. That is because they say "Trade is just like usury." But Allah has permitted trade, and forbidden usury. To whomsoever then this admonition comes from his Rabb and he desists, for him then (it is ignored) what has passed (or exchanged before the prohibition: and let bygones be bygones). And his affair is with Allah. But whoever reverts, these then are the inmates of the fire; they will abide in it.

those who (taking advantage of the misery of the poor) consume usury ( instead of helping them by charity)
trade (for earning profit)
permitted trade ( which requires the use of skill and labor, and makes available the provisions for rich and poor alike)
forbidden usury (which aims at exploiting the poverty and making the poor poorer)

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Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: For He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.

E H Palmer

God shall blot out usury, but shall make
almsgiving profitable, for God loves not any
sinful misbeliever

Hasan Qaribullah

Allah effaces usury and nurtures charity. Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.

H S Aziz

Allah has cursed usury, but made charity fruitful, for Allah loves not the ungrateful and faithless.

Khan and Halali

Allâh will destroy Ribâ (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqât (deeds of charity, alms, etc.) And Allâh likes not the disbelievers, sinners.

Muhammad Asad

Muhammad Ayub

God blots out usury but adds to alms; and God does not love any thankless sinner.

M H Shakir

Allah does not bless usury, and He causes charitable deeds to prosper, and Allah does not love any ungrateful sinner.

M M Pickthall

Allah hath blighted usury and made almsgiving fruitful. Allah loveth not the impious and guilty.

N J Dawood

Allah has laid His curse on usury and blesses almsgiving with increase. he bears no love for the impious and the sinful.

Rashad Khalifa

GOD condemns usury, and blesses charities. GOD dislikes every disbeliever, guilty.

T B Irving

God wipes out usury and nourishes acts of charity; God does not love every vicious disbeliever.

Zohurul Haque

Allah will abolish usury, and  He advances charity. And Allah does not love every ungrateful sinner.

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Abdullah Yusuf Ali

O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers.

E H Palmer

O ye who believe! fear God, and remit the balance of usury, if ye be believers.

Hasan Qaribullah

Believers, fear Allah and give up what is still due to you from usury, if you are believers

H S Aziz

O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah, and remit the balance of usury, if ye be, in truth, believers.

Khan and Halali

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allâh and give up what remains (due to you) from Ribâ (usury) (from now onward), if you are (really) believers

Muhammad Asad

Muhammad Ayub

O Believers, fear God and give up what remains of usury, if you are Believers.

M H Shakir

O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and relinquish what remains (due) from usury, if you are believers.

M M Pickthall

O ye who believe! Observe your duty to Allah, and give up what remaineth (due to you) from usury, if ye are (in truth) believers.

N J Dawood

Believers, have fear of Allah and wave what is still due to you from usury, if your faith be true;

Rashad Khalifa

O you who believe, you shall observe GOD and refrain from all kinds of usury, if you are believers.

T B Irving

You who believe heed God and write off anything that remains outstanding from lending at interest if you are [true] believers

Zohurul Haque

O you who believe! revere Allah, and relinquish whatever remains out of usury, if you are Believers.

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Abdullah Yusuf Ali

If ye do it not, Take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger: But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.

E H Palmer

And if ye will not do it, then hearken to the proclamation of war from God and His Apostle; but if ye repent, your capital is yours. Ye shall not wrong, nor shall ye be wronged.

Hasan Qaribullah

But if you do not, then take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger. Yet, if you repent, you shall have the principal of your wealth. Neither will you harm nor will you be harmed.

H S Aziz

And if ye will not do it, then hearken to the proclamation of war from Allah and His Apostle; but if ye repent, your capital is yours. Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged .

Khan and Halali

And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allâh and His Messengerbut if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums).

Muhammad Asad

Muhammad Ayub

But if you do not, then take notice of war from God and His Messenger; and if you repent, then the principal of your wealth is yours; you wrong not, nor be wronged.

M H Shakir

But if you do (it) not, then be apprised of war from Allah and His Messenger; and if you repent, then you shall have your capital; neither shall you make (the debtor) suffer loss, nor shall you be made to suffer loss.

M M Pickthall

And if ye do not, then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and His messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not, and ye shall not be wronged.

N J Dawood

Or war shall be declared against you by Allah and His apostle. If you repent, you may retain your principal, suffering no loss and causing loss to none.

Rashad Khalifa

If you do not, then expect a war from GOD and His messenger. But if you repent, you may keep your capitals, without inflicting injustice, or incurring injustice.

T B Irving

If you do not do so, then be prepared to face war declared by God and His messenger! If you repent, you may retain your principal. Do not wrong [others] and you will not be wronged.

Zohurul Haque

But if you do not do, then beware of war from Allah and His Rasul; but if you turn then for you will be the capital of your sums. Do not oppress, and be not oppressed.

then ( usury being an aggressive war against the poor to reduce them to poppers) 
Allah and His Rasul (who are always against aggression). Do not oppress ( the debtor by demanding more than the amount lent). 
Be not oppressed (by risking your capital, and follow the rules laid down for lending and borrowing 2:282)

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Abdullah Yusuf Ali

If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time Till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew.

E H Palmer

And if it be one in difficulties, then wait for easy circumstances; but that ye remit it as alms is
better for you, if ye did but know

Hasan
Qaribullah

If he should be in hardship, then a postponement until ease; while if you give charity it is better for you if you know.

H S Aziz

And if a debtor be in difficulties, then wait for easier circumstances; but to remit the debt as alms is better for you, if ye did but know.

Khan and Halali

And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know.

Muhammad Asad

Muhammad Ayub

And if he be in hardship, let him have respite till ease; and that you should give it away as alms shall be better for you, if you only knew.

M H Shakir  

And if (the debtor) is in straitness, then let there be postponement until (he is in) ease; and that you remit (it) as alms is better for you, if you knew.

M M Pickthall

And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know.

N J Dawood

If your debtor be in straits, grant him a delay until he can discharge his debt; but if you wave the sum as alms it will be better for you, if you but knew it. 

Rashad Khalifa

If the debtor is unable to pay, wait for a better time. If you give up the loan as a charity, it would be better for you, if you only knew.

T B Irving

If any debtor suffers hardship, then postpone [repaying] it until conditions become easier [for him]; while if you treat it as an act of charity, would be better for you, if you only knew!

Zohurul Haque

But if he (your debtor) be in indigence (in repaying the debt), then (let not the poor fellow be persecuted or prosecuted, rather)  let there be postponement till ease. But if you make a charity it is better for you, if you only know.