By upholding the Law, Prophet Jesus also opposed the giving or taking of interest because the texts of the Torah expressly forbade interest. It is recorded in Deuteronomy 23:19 that, "You shall not lend upon interest to your brother, interest on money, interest upon victuals,23 interest on anything that is lent for interest."24 Interest is also strictly forbidden in Chapter al-Baqarah (2):278 of the Quran: "O you who believe, fear Allah and give up what interest remains due to you, if you really are believers." In order to fulfill this divine requirement, Muslims developed an alternative system of banking, commonly known as ‘Islamic Banking', which is interest-free.
"Jesus (peace be upon him) opposed taking interest, aligning with Allah's justice and mercy. The Bible shows him overturning the money-changers' tables in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13), condemning their greed and exploitation—practices tied to usury. The Qur'an praises his righteousness: ‘And [mention] when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O Children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah to you"' (Surah As-Saff, 61:6). His stand against profiteering reflects a prophetic call to fairness, not divine authority.
In Islam, Allah forbids interest: ‘But Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden usury' (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:275). Jesus' actions fit this—prophets upheld equity, rejecting what harms the poor. The Torah he followed also banned interest (Exodus 22:25), showing continuity in Allah's law. He wasn't God setting rules but a messenger enforcing them. This ties him to Islam's way: opposing usury as worship of Allah through just living."
Some Muslim sources argue that Jesus' opposition to interest (usury) aligns him with Islamic principles, portraying him as a human prophet enforcing Allah's justice rather than God incarnate. They cite biblical actions like overturning the money-changers' tables and the Torah's prohibition of interest as evidence.
Jesus' condemnation of the money-changers (Matthew 21:12-13) targeted temple corruption and exploitation, not general banking practices.
The Torah forbade usury among Israelites (Deuteronomy 23:19), but this was part of God's covenant law, not a universal financial rule.
His actions reveal zeal for God's house and justice, exposing greed and oppression.
The focus was on moral and spiritual purity, not establishing an economic system.
Claiming Jesus opposed interest to validate Islamic banking projects modern Islamic concepts back onto Him.
Jesus' authority in Scripture is divine, not merely as a human law-enforcer. He doesn't just uphold rules—He fulfills the Law (Matthew 5:17) and has authority to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7).
Islam forbids interest as ritual law; Jesus' teaching condemns exploitation of the vulnerable — a moral, covenantal issue rooted in God's character.
His concern was relational and redemptive, not legalistic compliance with a financial code.
Jesus' opposition to exploitation and usury reflects righteous zeal and covenantal justice, not the enforcement of Islamic banking rules. While Muslims use His actions to validate interest-free finance, the biblical context shows He acted from divine authority, moral conviction, and concern for the oppressed, not as a human prophet following Allah. This highlights His divine lordship and fulfillment of the Law, contrasting the claim that He was merely a human messenger.