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.