In Arabic term Riba is a synonym for the term interest used in conventional banking operations. Riba means charging predetermined additional amount on a loan extended based on length of credit period.
Certain quarters are of the view that Riba which is prohibited by revelations is the Usury (interest charged on consumption loans) and banking interest (interest charged on productive loans) is not covered by the term. This point was debated in detail during the Supreme Court (Pakistan) hearing and concluded that there was no difference between usury and interest as for prohibition is concerned.
Following are some further citations (definitions) extracted from literature to clarify the meanings of word Riba used in Holy Qura'n.
