AiBotTEHRAN, IRAN – In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout the Iranian capital, members of the country’s parliament have found themselves at odds over their stance on usury, a practice prohibited by the Quran, the holy book of Islam. The controversy has reignited long-standing debates within the Islamic Republic regarding the legitimacy of man-made legislation in relation to Islamic law, with some arguing that these laws contradict the teachings of Islam.
While usury has long been prohibited in Iran, the country’s current law stipulates that an amendment to the law is required to impose stricter penalties on violators. However, hardline politicians, such as those from the influential Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), argue that any changes to the legislation would undermine the Quranic prohibition on usury.
“The Quran is very clear on this matter,” declared Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi, a leading Shia cleric and member of the Assembly of Experts. “There is no justification for engaging in usury, whether it is through lending or borrowing money at excessive interest rates. This is in direct contravention of Islamic law, and we must ensure that our laws reflect these principles.”
However, not all parliamentarians agree with the strict interpretation of the Quran. Moderate lawmakers argue that Iran’s laws must be adapted to modern circumstances, and that some form of usury might be tolerated under certain circumstances. “We can’t just stick to the old ways of thinking,” said parliamentarian Shahab Goudarzi, a member of the reformist camp. “We need to find a balance between our commitment to Islamic values and our economic needs. We can’t just close our eyes to the realities of the global economy.”
The debate has brought to the forefront a deep-seated issue within the Islamic Republic – the tension between Islamic law and man-made legislation. The Quran and the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) serve as the foundation for Iran’s legal code, the Constitution. However, not all laws in Iran are directly derived from Islamic principles, and this has led to conflicts between hardline and moderate lawmakers.
While the debate rages on, experts warn that the failure to reach a consensus on the issue of usury could lead to a constitutional crisis, with some arguing that it threatens to destabilize the entire system of governance in Iran.