blame or restriction whatsoever. Whoever imagines that it is a loan that brings a surplus has misunderstood, for when I advance money to these brothers of mine I do not take back more than I gave. As for the objection that “a great deal of money will come back to him,” we reply: yes, but never more than he originally contributed. In the end it is simply a loan on condition that it be repaid in full, and there is nothing objectionable in that.

This is a misconception held by some brothers—even by certain students of knowledge—who suppose the arrangement amounts to ribā (usury). In truth, there is no ribā in it at all; it is nothing but mutual help and cooperation. Very often a colleague needs ready cash to resolve pressing concerns and is thus spared from borrowing at interest from an individual or resorting to a bank for an interest-bearing loan, and the like. The arrangement is beneficial and entails no harm whatsoever. Allah is the One who grants success.