No two opinions are possible in the matter that the Muslim society and the interest-based economic system are opposed to each other and that they cannot flourish simultaneously. The entity of the one is the negation of the other. The dominance of the one is the toll of the death knell for the other. These two concepts are at war with each other and no compromise is possible between them. The individuals or societies dominated by the interest (riba) system are always devoid of real joy and happiness. The blessings of the Creator of the universe never shelter them. They continue to burn in the fire of, "Is there any more?" and men instead of being the consolar and confident of men, remain busy in sucking the blood and usurping the rights of one another and consider it their economic success. Whereas the Holy Qur’an and Hadith give such individuals and societies the similitude of "a person whom the Evil one by his touch hath driven to madness" and against whom Allah the Almighty and His Prophet (p.b.u.h.) have declared war. (If ye do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His Prophet (p.b.u.h.) (2:279)). How can that individual and society lead a life of peace and tranquillity who are continuously at war with Allah and His Prophet (p.b.u.h.).

Whatever way of narration Allah and His Apostle have adopted about the ignominy and horror of interest (riba), there remains no room for the faithful to this slaughterer of faith, conscience and fraternity even for a moment. The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) has said that Interest (riba) is such a great sin that if it is divided into seventy parts, its highest form will be equivalent to the sin of committing incest with one’s mother (Allah forbid!) ( Ibn-e-Ma’ja, Baihaqi). In another tradition the Truest of the Men (p.b.u.h.) said, "the man who consumes a single dirham of interest (riba) commits a severer sin than committing adultery thirty six times. In some traditions it has occurred that hell-fire is more deserving for the flesh made of interdictory matter (Musnad Ahmad and Tabrani). Moreover the Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said whenever adultery and riba spread in a community it invited the penalty of Allah over it. (Mustadrak Ha’kim) and that whenever riba becomes customary in the mutual transactions of a nation, Allah the Almighty imposes on it the exorbitance of necessities, and whenever bribery becomes widespread in a nation/community, it is over-awed and subdued by its enemies (Musnad Ahmad). If we cast a glance of insight around us and look at the present state of our country, the prophecy of the True Informer (p.b.u.h.) seems to be absolutely correct and invites the faithful to repent and revert to Allah, because this is the only way to salvation.

Past Efforts To Eliminate Riba

Harmony could not be created between the sentiments of the Pakistani nation and the attitude of its leadership about interest. Quaid-i-Azam had expressed the desire to institute an interest-free financial system in his speech (July 1948) at the inaugural ceremony of the State Bank of Pakistan. From the 1956 Constitution to the Constitution of 1973 the desire to get rid of interest (riba) has been clearly expressed. The Islamic Advisory Council - 1962 to 1965 and 1969, has again and again opined that interest (riba) must be finished in its every form and a substitutionary system be enforced, but those at the helm of the affairs did not make any headway towards it. General Muhammad Ziaul Haq entrusted to the Council of Islamic Ideology the assignment to formulate an interest-free system and the Council, with the co-operation of its 15 financial and banking experts presented its interim report in November 1978, and its complete report in June 1980. In the light of these very reports, General Muhammad Ziaul Haq on 10 February 1979 (12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1399 AH) took the first practical step to purge three financial institutions of interest system on which action was taken on 1st July 1979. From 1980 onwards other reforms were introduced, which continued topsy-turvy till 1984. In those days the flag-bearers of the interest system (both domestic and foreign) and others with vested interests strived continuously to distort these reforms and to create impediments. Ultimately all those steps which originated in 1979 were rendered ineffective from 1985. This counter revolutionary movement was challenged on coming into power of the Islamic Democratic Alliance in 1990 and demand for the supremacy of Shariah gained momentum. The Committee constituted by the Prime Minister for Self-Reliance, which worked under the direction of the present writer (Prof Khurshid Ahmad), presented its report in April 1991, and proposed a vivid strategy and Action Plan to purge the domestic economy and international economic relations of riba. Moreover the Federal Shariat Court, after ten years helplessness and restoration of its powers (in 1990), gave an historic verdict on December 7, 1991 under which 20 laws based on riba were declared ultra-vires and allowed the government a period of 6 months for alternative legislation. But instead of acting upon this decision the government lodged an appeal in the Supreme Court and on the other hand ignored the Self Reliance report.

Lack of will and Commitment

This is the background under which the nation has, once again demanded that the appeal should be properly disposed, and practical steps should be taken to get rid of riba. But instead of adopting this latter course, once again the way of new commissions and new committees is being resorted to. Lately, the government attempted to withdraw the appeal and has asked the Federal Shariah Court to review its earlier decision and also to indicate the alternative system. This is a strange logic that policy making on the rest of the affairs and determining of the alternative courses are the responsibility of the government and if it is the matter of enhancing its own powers, then suspending all the formalities, this work can be accomplished in a few hours, but deliverance from riba according, to this logic, is such a matter of which the real responsibility does not lie with the government but with the FSC and the nation, that they should provide the government with a ready-made alternative system so that it could move into action.

Actually the root-cause of the disease is that the government and all the institutions having jurisdiction not only do not feel their own responsibility on this important issue but with ample dexterity toss this responsibility to others, thought it is their duty to devise policies, acquire resources and take necessary steps to solve the challenges and problems confronting the country. Similarly it is the primary task of those in power in connection with riba also and there is no way for escape from it.

In his speech of 31 March, the Prime Minister has announced the setting up of another commission, as if so far nothing has been done in this connection and now another leaf is being turned over. We have received a questionnaire from two highly respectable persons Malik Allah Yar Khan, Advocate Supreme Court, and Dr. Syed Ilyas Ali Abbassi, in which some questions have been raised in connection with the Alternative Banking System in the light of talks with the Punjab Chief Minister. They say that the Chief Minister has promised them that they (the government) are immediately prepared to take action on it provided a working paper is given, suggesting an alternative riba-free Islamic economic system. Dr. Asrar Ahmad Sahib too has given this glad tidings in a press conference that Mian Muhammad Sharif, Mian Nawaz Sharif and Mian Shahbaz Sharif have met him and though the Chief Minister Punjab has asked far a respite of three years, yet Mian Muhammad Sharif has said that riba should be put to an end within one year in the domestic economy of the country. (Jasarat Karachi 14 April, 1997)^* . All these things are being done as if some new work is being originated and the stage of a new writing on a blank paper is confronted. No doubt this work (of search for alternatives) is very important, but the impression that no alternative exists and the demand for an Islamic Economic system is being made in some vacuity is based on ignorance or else it is an explicit deceit.

Today interest-free alternative is not merely a fantasy. The fact is that in fifty years so much work has been done, that if a sincere and capable leadership has the determination and will for the new system then without delaying for a day an effective step can be taken. No doubt the institution of the new order/system will take time and the process of change could be executed gradually and with suitable strategy, but today the actual hindrance is not the dearth of intellectual work or the non-existence of an alternative blue-print. There is lack of faith and political determination/will in the leadership. We are not saying so because of any prejudice (may Allah protect us from every prejudice and partisanship). The present writer has been personally connected with these efforts for the last twenty five years, which have been done in this connection and is saying on the basis of his personal knowledge and experience that the real hindrance is not the lack of any alternative model. The course is very clear and now the practical imprints of others also exist.

The actual need is that of the sense of destination and the intention to go ahead. The real indisposition of our leaderships is that neither they adopted the Islamic thought and vision consciously nor do they have the courage and determination because of which Man getting independent of the world and whatever is in it, becomes active for the achievement of his real objectives. On the one hand the minds are overwhelmed with the Western thoughts and on the other the vested interests and the siege the workers of the World Banking system, which are engaged in poisoning minds and shaking the feet of the weak minded people. The state of those in power is that:

The need is to break the idols inhabiting the minds and the way of the submission of the mind and vision should be adopted. Iqbal had correctly diagnosed:

Bank Interest Is ‘Riba’, And Is Forbidden

A deception which is again and again practiced in different ways is about the concept of riba. The government advocates also raised this question before the Federal Shariat Court, and into the appeal lodged in the Supreme Court the question was included: "Does the interest of a bank comes within the definition of Riba"?

We want to explain this matter clearly that the arguments advanced in this connection in the Arab World, the Sub-Continent and South East Asia during the era of slavery, are the stories of the past today. Allah be praised, during the past fifty years such productive discussion has been made on this topic that on the basis of irrefutable proofs this argument has led to a consensus, that on the fiscal affairs of a loan whatever fixed addition is settled in advance and is a part of the agreement, is riba. Whether this loan is for personal expenditure or productive requirements, it is obtained by an individual or an institution, be it private or government, usuary or through banks or insurance companies. There is a complete consensus of opinion on it in Pakistan and the scholars and economic experts both agree on it. Therefore to begin this discussion afresh is not based on learning and sincerity, but is synonymous to complicate, postpone the matter or to practice deception. Man may deceive himself but cannot deceive Allah. "They think to beguile Allah and those who believe, and they beguile none save themselves but they perceive not." (2:9).

The Islamic Advisory Council had decided in its meeting of 3 December 1969 that:

"The Islamic Advisory Council is unanimous that Riba in its every form is forbidden and the increase or decrease of the rate of interest does not affect its forbidding. After complete consideration of the following forms of transactions between individuals and institutions, the Council has arrived at the conclusion that:

(a) The increase that is allowed or recovered on business transactions or loans among individuals, institutions and governments on the principal is riba.

(b) The remission which is allowed on the loan of a prescribed period is also inclusive of riba.

(c) The interest allowed on the Saving Certificate is riba.

(d) The prize awarded on the Prize Bonds is riba.

(e) The interest allowed on Provident Fund and Postal Life Insurance is also riba.

(f) The increase on the loans advanced to government servants, provinces and local bodies is riba.^*

This is exactly the position adopted by the Council of Islamic Ideology and its economic experts and bankers in their last report. Similarly the committee of bankers that worked under the chairmanship of the Governor of State Bank and gave its report in 1980, has taken the same stand. Likewise the scholars of the country and economic experts and bankers agreed upon it. Moreover the Federal Shariat Court has in its historic verdict of December 1991, affixed the stamp of affirmation on this position which makes the last word on the subject.

The same is the position of the world institutions. The last unanimous opinion expressed by the Assembly of Islamic Fiqh of India in its seminar of the top scholars is: "Interest whether received on the loans for personal expenditure or on commercial and business loans, is after all in the eyes of Islamic Shariah, forbidden. The Holy Quran and Sunnah, Consensus and Analogy and the continuous following of the Muslims, all of these tell that about the forbidding of Riba it cannot be relied upon what was the object or incentive for obtaining a loan. The prohibition of interest (riba) is in no way affected whether the rate of interest is low or exorbitant, is low to a reasonable extent or exorbitant to an unreasonable limit. Both of these situations cannot be differentiated. and are in any case forbidden. (Trimonthly "Bahth-o-Nazar" Phulwari Sharif, Patna. No. 8, January to March 1990, page 13).

The Islamic Fiqh Academy established at the official level by the Organization of the (muslim) Foreign Ministers also considered this matter in December 1985 and arrived at the same conclusion. In its resolution No. 3 of the Fiqh Academy it was resolved that:

"About the implementation of Islamic principles in banks and the banking system:

1. On all such loans, which are repaid after a period, any addition (whether named profit) if the borrower could not repay it on time, or addition or profit on any loan which is kept as a part of agreement, both of them come within the definition of Riba and are prohibited in Shariah.
1. (Interest-free) banks should be established to work according to Islamic injunctions and provide subsistence facilities.
1. The Academy appeals to all the Muslim countries to establish banks working according to the principles of Shariah, so that all the requirements of the Muslims could be fulfilled according to their faith and no non-conformity exists in their deeds and faith.

This is the reason that in the official documents of the IMF the position of the Muslim Ummah described on this problem is as follows:

"It seems appropriate that the beginning of the study of Islamic Banking system should be made from the definition of its basic terminology. Riba is an Islamic legal term which is tantamount to an accepted addition before the use of money. Controversy is found in the past whether Riba means interest or usury but now there is a consensus of opinion among the Muslim scholars that this technical term is applicable to every form of Interest and its corroboration is not merely excessive interest. Therefore in the forthcoming discussions "Riba" and Interest will be used as synonyms and the Islamic Banking System will mean the system in which the payment or receipt of Interest will be prohibited, whereas an interest giving or conventional bank will mean an institution in which interest is received or given on the use of monetary fund- (International Monetary Fund Staff Papers, Vol xxxiii No. 1 March 1986. Islamic Interest-free Banking, a Theoretical Analysis by Mohsin S. Khan p-4-5).

The dispassionate analysis of the academic discussions of half a century absolutely lays bare the fact that the questions and doubts raised about Interest (Riba) are unreal and the Quran and Sunnah have prohibited Riba in its every form, be it the ancient banking form or the modern banking, be it related to the consumption loans of the needy or commercial and production loans, fall within the sphere of private limits or government, semi-government limits, and whether provided at a lesser or exorbitant rate. This agreement of opinion is the greatest asset of the Ummah and now instead of digging out the dead, in a straight forward way all the efforts should be concentrated on the question: how to get rid of Interest (Riba), and what should be the features of alternative system?

Interest-Free Banking: Practical Models Proposed

With this success in academic and ideological field, the second great success achieved in the last thirty years covers the principles and rules, way of working, financial Instruments of interest-free banking and the proposal and drafting of the strategy of investment. In this connection investigations have been made with great endeavors and a chart of alternative system has been prepared with deep foresight. The preliminary efforts in this regard were made in the decades of 1930-40 and the most pioneering work was done by the late Maulana Abul Ala Mauddudi, the late Dr. Anwar Iqbal Qureshi and Al-Ustad Baqir as Sadr ¾ the martyr. Then among the experts of modern economics, Dr. Nejatullah Siddiqui, Dr Muhammad Uzair and Dr. Mahmood Abu Saud did the pioneering work. Dr. Ahmad Najar, Dr. Sahi Mahmood, Dr. Umar Chapra, Dr. Siddiq Dhareer, Dr Ma’bad Jarhi, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmad, Dr. Waqar Masood, Dr. Mohammad Anwar, Dr. Muhammad Fahim Khan, Dr. Mohammad Arif and dozens of Savants have rendered very useful services. At least two dozen research books have been published in which the features of the new system have been explained. Among them some of their authors have received the Islamic Development Bank and the King Faisal Awards.

In Pakistan the report of the Council of Islamic Ideology, which is based on the report of the economic and banking experts, occupies the position of a mile-stone. In this report which was presented in 1980, not only about Pakistan but also about any modern country, a very realistic blue print has been presented to purge its domestic economy of interest. A Committee of the Central Bank also worked on this subject in 1981 under the Chairmanship of the governor of State Bank and the blue print provided by it is also very close to the blue print of the Council of Islamic Ideology. The report of the Council of Islamic Ideology was discussed in an International Seminar and its recommendations were, on the whole ratified. Moreover some additional recommendations were made, which were published under the title of "Money and Banking in Islam," by the International Institute of Islamic Economics (Islamabad) and Institute of Policy Studies (Islamabad). In 1989 the International Institute of Islamic Economics held a workshop on the subject as to how interest can be eliminated from government dealings. The report of this workshop (Elimination of Interest on Govt. Transactions) has been published. After that in June 1992 the commission for Islamization of Economy submitted its interim report to purge the banking of interest, which has not so far been published. It has not even been presented in the Senate and National Assembly according to law. The Institute of Policy Studies held a Seminar in 1993 which was attended by about one hundred experts. Two editions of its proceedings have been published in 1994 and 1995 entitled "Elimination of Riba from the Economy."

The whole of this work presents a vivid outline of an alternative system in the light of conditions prevailing in Pakistan.

Work has also been done about foreign loans. Clear guidance exists in the above mentioned report of the Institute of Policy Studies and the Self-Reliance Committee report. Even an outline exists in the Self-Reliance Report (1991) which tells how to execute this job, and on the other hand with the help of a proper economic model a complete program has been given to eliminate Riba from the economy in three years. But the difficulty is that those demanding an alternative system neither study these reports nor intend to act upon them. So much so that if there are any objections and apprehensions in their minds about the proposed models, they do not even talk about them, which shows their back of attention and seriousness. It seems that because the recommendations made in this whole assignment, are not in accordance with their taste or desire, they therefore refute the existence of these documents or else resort to disregard and are continuously harping upon, "where is the alternative?"

We have only pointed out the work that has been done in Pakistan. In the rest of the Muslim countries too, particularly the work so far done in the Arab world, Malaysia and also in the Universities and Research Institutes of the West, which has been classified by the Western Universities as excellent, needs a whole article to cover.

Interest-Free Banking Models Put To Practice: Review

The matter is not limited only to academic exercise and theoretically drawing a sketch of the alternative system. Allah be praised, during the last thirty years interest-free banking has not only been a concept but has become a live fact. No doubt much work has yet to be done and many stages have to be covered, but whatever has been attained is sufficient to bow before the prowess of Islamic banking system.

The work of accumulating the savings and provision of resources has always been carried out at the lowest and public levels ¾ individual and institutional. After the first World War, Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah had carried out research work and had shown how investment to the extent of billions of rupees was being carried out through equity-based venture system. During the last forty years the experiments include the Mit Ghamr Bank of Egypt, which had been working from 1963 to 1967 and after that it adopted a new form in the shape of Nasir Social Bank (1971). These institutions continued to work very successfully for ten to twelve years on which studies were carried out by the researchers of the West who declared them to be successful preliminary experiments (vide: The Research Report of T. Wholus Scharf: Arab Islamic Banks: New Business Partners for Developing Countries, Paris, OECD, 1993).

Similarly, Bank Saving Corporation was established in 1963 in Malaysia for the pilgrims which was singularized as a Banking Organization in 1969 and named Tabuk Haji, in which one million account holders have invested a capital of more than one hundred million dollars. Five companies are working under it and are rendering services of banking and Hajj arrangements very successfully.

In 1975 the first regular commercial bank was established in Dubai with the name of Dubai Islamic Bank. The same year Islamic Development Bank (Jeddah) was established with the co-operation of 28 Muslim countries; the members now are 50. After these pioneering banks more than a hundred interest-free banks were established. Two major financial groups DMI and Al-Baraka are performing the services of interest-free banking in numerous countries. According to a recent report of the Secretary General of the International Association of Islamic Banks (The Present State of Islamic Banks-November 1996), at present 17 financial institutions are working in the Gulf Council countries, 22 in the rest of the Middle East, 30 in Africa, and 47 in South Asia. In Europe and America, 4 interest-free banks or financial institutions are working. The total capital of these banks is around 6 billion dollars, in the existing deposits there are 77 billion dollars and their total assets are worth 166 billion dollars. From the point of view of the distribution of capital the share of the banks of the Middle East is 55 percent, of the countries of the Gulf Council 23 per cent and that of Southern Asia is 15 percent. The total branches of these banks, at present, are twenty one thousand and two hundred and seventy one thousand employees are working in them. From an analysis of the operation, it transpires that 30 per cent of their resources are being expended on domestic trade, 19 percent for industry, 13 per cent to service sector, 12 percent for land and property and 8.5 per cent is spent to fulfill the monetary requirements of agriculture.

We do not claim that these banks are standard banks from every aspect, but it can be claimed without any fear of refutation that despite all their weaknesses, these banks have proved before the world that Interest-free banking is possible and from the viewpoint of its performance and profitability, it is no way lesser than the conventional banking modes.

What an irony that in existence of these experiences our politicians are asking for an alternative system?

In the three important fields (i) the explanation of the essence and concept of interest (ii) the theoretical shaping of the financial system and interest-free banking, and (iii) the field of commercial and investment banking, practically the establishment of interest-free institutions and the successful services of some of them stretched over twenty two years-whatever has been achieved in the past forty years-their cursory analysis necessitates that we should tell with exactitude why this experiment could not succeed in Pakistan and how the train derailed?

Gradual Reforms in Pakistan: Proposed Action Plan

There is no occasion to go into detail but in short the first thing to pointout is that after the first step by the Council of Islamic Ideology and other experts of Islamic economics, no further real progress could be made. The proposal of the Ideology Council, and ours was that with a prescribed gradation not only banking but the whole economy should be purified of interest. The beginning should be from those institutions whose system can be changed immediately. For that we had selected The National Investment Trust, the Mutual Fund of the ICP and the House Building Finance Corporation. There-after we gave the scheme of establishment of Bankers’ Equity for industry and bound the Agricultural Bank, Small Industries Corporation, Co-Operatives and other institutions to provide capital to the small farmers and small businessman so that the facility of interest-free investment can be made available first of all to a common man at the grass roots. Employment will be available to common man and a helping hand extended to alleviate poverty and indigence. At the second stage which was to begin within one year, we had planned to eliminate interest from the government sector. This was also necessary because in our opinion, the central, and to an extent the provincial governments have become real bankers. One can judge it from the fact that from 1980 till today the interest bearing transaction in the government sector is four to five fold in excess than the private sector. According to the statistics at the end of 1995 given in the Economic Survey of 1995-96, the interest return of the Central and provincial governments was 308 billion rupees, and interest in the form of outlay was 115.25 billion rupees. The total government debts (domestic) were 859.24 billion rupees and the interest payable on central and provincial debts was 125.96 billion rupees. The foreign debts which now exeeded 30 billion US $ were in addition to it. If one compares them with the Advances of the commercial Banks, then at the end of 1995, both in the corporate sector and the individual total advance was only 344.9 billion rupees. Similarly in June 1996 the fixed deposits were 370.37 billion rupees, whereas the government domestic debt was 859.24 billion rupees. Receipts in the government saving schemes were 303.89 rupees. (Annual Report of the State Bank). It is thus quite evident that the first sector which needs elimination of the interest, is the government sector. This was what the Council of Islamic Ideology had said and the same was the stand of the Self-Reliance Committee. The sector was not even touched, instead the interest bearing transactions have rather multiplied two to three times during the last fifteen years.

Our proposal was to first reform the Commercial banks and that real attention should be to conform the bank assets with the Islamic injunctions, so that avenues should open for the use of the capital and interest purged whereas to make the deposits in harmony with Islamic teachings was comparatively easy. The government reversed the sequence and concentrated entire attention to change the deposit system and did not exact the legal structure that was necessary for the reform of the assets. Our proposal was, that company law, the tax system, the corporate law authority, stock exchange, all of them should be so changed that a new economic infra-structure may come into existence. Simultaneously interest should be eliminated legally. All the protection and incentives enjoyed by interest should be provided to the investments based on profit and loss. Suitable institutes should be established for training the officials of the banks and financial institutions and effective arrangements made for this purpose and for the education of the masses, so that there should be acquaintance with the licit and the illicit (halal and haram) and public support could be obtained for the new order. The State Bank had to perform a central role in this whole work. But the government took neither of these steps. Having the original system intact, PLS. accounts were opened in Commercial banks and a new lease of life given to interest with the name of Markup. Moreover, the government itself continued to issue Interest Bonds and Certificates, within and outside the country. This practice continues till today, so much so that now whatever loans are obtained under the scheme of ‘Repair debt, beautify the country, (Qarz utaro, Mulk Sanwaro) 90 per cent is interest based.

Government Itself Is The Hinderance

This is the reason we think that the real hindrance is the impairment of thought and foresight of those in authority and the lack of their will and determination. Unless these are rectified mere proposals and the heaping up of alternative systems cannot bring any change. Such is the state of government departments, commissions and committees that reports exist on which no one bothers to act and new committees are composed, and like the proverbial old woman, energy is wasted (And be not like the woman who breaks into untwisted strands the yarn which she has spun after it has become strong (16:92)). No doubt research work is also required and the education and training of the masses too is important, but first of all the reform of mind and foresight and affective political will is needed, without which no destination can be attained.

Only as a lesson and an eye-opener for those who complain for the alternative and avoid facts, let me append an extract from the report of the Board of Directors of an affiliate institution of the World Bank -- The International Finance Corporation-which I also referred to in the Self-Reliance Report. From it the fact emerges that at one stage these international financial institutions were considering that if Pakistan eliminates interest and is not prepared to adopt any other course excepting Real Islamic Banking system and Investment, how should they make their modes and dealings in uniformity with it. The "credit" goes to our leadership that it assured IFC etc. that the talk of Islam is only to humour, and not to practice. Therefore they need not worry. Vide IFC Report No IFC/P-587 of December 1987, "A change to Islamic modes of financing has been considered by IFC but this would be contrary to the Government (of Pakistan) intentions for foreign loans. Adoption by a foreign lender of Islamic instruments could be construed as undermining Government policy to exempt foreign lender from the requisit."

From this report it appears that in the light of the possibility of the ending of the limitation of powers about interest, of the Federal Shariat Court, the Board of Governors was anxious to change its behavior, but our rulers consoled them that there was no "danger", and that we will even change the Constitution." The Report further notes: "We have been advised by senior Government officials that steps will be taken to rectify this situation in all probability."

This is the mind and role of our rulers. We are shown an ogre that the foreign financial institutions will excommunicate us and the country will be ruined, If however, they express any willingness to adopt the principles of Islamic Banking System, they are checked and it is said that even the Constitution will be amended, but the way for interest will not be blocked, it shall remain licit. These are the people about whom the Holy Quran has said, "Hear the Declaration of war from Allah and his Prophet (P.B.U.H.)." And as a result of this war not only they are getting ruined but the country and the nation are suffering torture, as well.

It is our sincere request that all these hostilities against Allah and His Apostle should stop. Nothing is meaningful without this "cease fire"? Constitutional amendment could not be resorted to, rather an appeal was lodged in the Supreme Court against the Verdict of the Federal Shariat Court. Even the Supreme Court remained silent on this appeal for five years, the trouble of only one hearing has not been taken. The latest withdrawal attempt is yet another drama, which can only bring Allah’s wrath. Allah Almighty is most Merciful in forgiving mistake and negligence, but in rebellion and insubordination, his punishment is also very awesome (Truly strong is the grip of Thy Lord - 85:12). Let us take the course of obedience and submission, then every difficulty will give way to ease and every door blocked will open.

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The Challenge of Interest and the Islamic Movement