Title: Justification of Riba Question: We know that every scarce good is an economic good and is bought and sold in the market unlike free goods. Why cannot we charge a price (interest) for lending cash to someone like we do if we lend a building etc.? if we can charge a price (rent) for a building which is another asset then why can't we do that for cash? You can also see it this way, there are four factors of production land, labor, capital, entrepreneurship. There rewards are rent, wages, interest and profit respectively. Capital is the most important factor of production and is definitely not a free good. There is a price for capital. Even if interest becomes illegal in one country capital's price will be paid in one form or another and perhaps in the same form in black market. On the other hand, we also see that the Capital countries that are practicing interest system have the most developed economies of the world. the average people living in these countries are better off then the people living in Russia/socialist block or any other state of the world. Anyhow, even on the moral grounds I think that a person with average ego would like to pay market-price for lending money from someone rather than taking it as a free good. I feel it an obligation (ihsan) and I don't want other peoples' favors. Please answer. Thank you. Answer: I would request you to kindly take a close look at one of my articles titled " Issues Relating to the Prohibition of Riba " . I am quite hopeful that you should find most of your questions answered in the article. However, in case any of your questions remains unanswered, please feel free in writing back to me, at your convenience. My fondest regards and salaam to you and all those around you. January 28, 2001