Imam al-Qurtubi mentions in his tafseer (al-Jami’ li-Ahkam al-Qur’an) that a man once saw a drunkard trying to fish the moon (yes, fish the moon) in the heavy drunken state that he was in. The man upon seeing such a despicable condition (and being so ghastly averse to it) made an oath declaring his wife divorced if there was ever anything to enter the belly of the son of Adam which was worse or more evil than alcohol.
As oaths in matters of divorce are binding, he was told to seek a juristic ruling from Imam Malik who was in Madinah. The man came to Imam Malik and told him about his oath, seeking a fatwa from him; should he divorce his wife or not? Imam Malik told him to come back in three days while he looked into the matter.
After the three days passed, the man returned to Imam Malik who then said to him (read carefully):
امرأتك طالق إني تصفحت كتاب الله فلم أر شيئًا يدخل جوف ابن آدم أخبث ولا أشر من الربا
“Your wife is divorced. I searched and studied through the Book of Allah and I didn’t see anything enter the belly of the son of Adam worse or more evil than Riba (interest).”
Ok, other than the lesson to never make such crazy oaths in the first place(!), this just further highlights the dangers and evil of interest. And here we are today surrounded by it, in every place. May Allah save us from it, ameen.
As-Salamu Alaikum
Tips on how to avoid riba
http://productivemuslim.com/how-can-we-avoid-riba/
As-Salamu Alaikum
“oaths in matters of divorce are binding” How can the wife be divorced when he never proclaimed the Talaq to his wife as in accordance to the laws in the Quran. Yes, I do agree totally that Alcohol is prohibited strictly. I cant understand this relation of Swearing, Divorce and Riba. Please can you be more explicit. Since all three are huge Subjects in itself which are very inherent in all societies today.
Ok so basically he pronounced talaq but with a condition, and when the condition was fulfilled, the oath/talaq became binding.
The connection with Riba here is that this was his condition for talaq (i.e. ‘if there is something worse than alcohol which humans can consume, then his wife is divorced.’) Imam Malik researched the issue and found that Riba is actually much worse to consume than alcohol, which meant the talaq was valid. Hope that clarifies some!
Jazak Allahu Khaire
Salam alykum sister, could you please provide me a youtube link for the arabic lectures in your drop box playlist please. Jazakallahu Khair