He—glorified be He—constantly forbids wrongdoing, makes justice obligatory, and calls people to grace, as is evident at the end of Sūrah al-Baqarah when He discusses the laws governing wealth.

In those dealings, people fall into three categories: beneficent, just, and unjust. The beneficent is the charitable giver; the just is the one who trades by way of fair exchange, like the seller; and the unjust is the usurer.

So He began with beneficence and charity, mentioned them, and urged them, saying:

“The parable of those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah is that of a grain that grows seven ears; in each ear are a hundred grains. Allah multiplies [the reward] for whom He wills, and Allah is all-embracing, all-knowing. Those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders or harm—their reward rests with their Lord; no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they grieve. A gracious word and forgiveness are better than a charity followed by injury; Allah is self-sufficient, forbearing” (Qur’an 2:261-263).

He then mentioned the prohibition of usury, saying:

“Those who devour usury will not stand except like one whom Satan has confounded with his touch. That is because they say, ‘Trade is just like usury,’ while Allah has permitted trade and prohibited usury. Whoever receives admonition from his Lord and desists may keep what has already passed, and his affair is with Allah; but whoever reverts—such people are the inhabitants of the Fire, and they will remain therein forever” (Qur’an 2:275).

Thereafter, having declared trade lawful, He spoke of deferred transactions, the rulings of spot sale and credit sale, and of safeguarding such dealings through written contracts, witnesses, or collateral, and He concluded the surah with the fundamental principles