QURANIC INSIGHTS ON RIBA: A CRITIQUE OF SOCIAL INEQUALITY IN THE ERA OF GLOBAL CAPITALISM
Abstract
The growing social inequality in the modern era signifies that the global economic system is losing its moral compass. The interest based capitalist system places profit above justice. This study seeks to reinterpret the Quranic verses on riba in a more contextual and humanistic manner, not merely as a legal-formal prohibition, but as a moral call to restructure economic relations toward greater justice. This research employs a qualitative-descriptive method and a thematic (maudhu‘i) approach to verses such as QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 275–279, Ali Imran [3]: 130, and Ar-Rum [30]: 39 to trace the ethical meanings behind the sacred text. The findings reveal that the Qur’an’s critique of riba is, in essence, a critique of exploitative economic systems both classical and modern. Conversely, values such as zakat, infaq, and mudharabah offer a more just economic path that fosters solidarity and upholds humanity. Thus, this study affirms that the Quranic ethics on riba can serve as an alternative foundation for building an economically and morally dignified system one that embraces progress and innovation without compromising ethical integrity. What the modern world needs is not merely an interest-free system, but an economic civilization imbued with empathy and oriented toward collective well-being.
Abstrak
Ketimpangan sosial yang semakin tajam di era modern menjadi tanda bahwa sistem ekonomi global sedang kehilangan arah moralnya. Sistem kapitalisme yang berbasis bunga (riba) menempatkan keuntungan di atas keadilan. Penelitian ini berusaha membaca kembali ayat-ayat riba dalam Al-Quran dengan cara yang lebih kontekstual dan manusiawi bukan hanya sebagai larangan legal-formal, tetapi sebagai panggilan moral untuk menata ulang relasi ekonomi agar lebih adil. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif-deskriptif dan pendekatan tematik (maudhu‘i) terhadap ayat-ayat seperti QS. Al-Baqarah [2]: 275–279, Ali Imran [3]: 130, dan Ar-Rum [30]: 39 untuk menelusuri makna etis di balik teks. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahwa kritik Al-Quran terhadap riba sesungguhnya adalah kritik terhadap sistem ekonomi eksploitatif baik dalam bentuk klasik maupun modern. Sebaliknya, nilai-nilai seperti zakat, infaq, dan mudharabah menawarkan jalan ekonomi yang lebih berkeadilan, menumbuhkan solidaritas, dan menegakkan kemanusiaan. Dengan demikian, penelitian ini menegaskan bahwa etika Qurani tentang riba dapat menjadi fondasi alternatif dalam membangun sistem ekonomi yang bermartabat secara moral tanpa menolak kemajuan dan inovasi ekonomi. Dunia modern membutuhkan bukan sekadar sistem tanpa riba, melainkan peradaban ekonomi yang berjiwa empati dan berorientasi pada kemaslahatan bersama
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