This book offers collaborating understandings of the Islamic economic concept. Linguistics, classical juridical analysis, historical context and modern economics build this framework for the understanding of riba.

With Islamic banking gradually becoming a more influential factor in the West, an analysis of the concept of riba - a definition of which is not given in the Qur'an - is long overdue. This text presents readers with various interpretations of this Islamic economic concept - generally perceived as 'interest'. Thomas provides a framework for understanding riba by examining: linguistics classical judicial analysis the historical context modern economics. Including contributions from prominent international scholars, the book fills a gap in the existing literature and will be welcomed by academics and professionals with an interest in Islamic studies, economics and legal history.

'The volume is a useful reference for anyone wishing to understand the Koranic roots of the prohibition of interest, and of how this evolved in the four main schools of Islamic law.' - Middle Eastern Studies 'This book is comprehensive; it consists of scholarly papers and it is a must read for all students of Islamic economics and finance. The editor deserves our compliments for doing a good job in presenting all the angles on the debate of interest.' - Muhammad Akram Khan, The Muslim World Book Review, 2009