From my blog post:

The global fiat monetary system imposed by central banks forces everyone to varying degrees to be involved in riba (interest). It offers no exemption to Muslims or anyone else. Within this monetary framework, we resemble a person stranded on a remote, uninhabited island where the sole sustenance available is pork. Consuming pork is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam, but scholars concur that if faced with a life-threatening situation, one is permitted to eat a small amount of it to survive, albeit reluctantly and without indulgence. If such an individual were to excessively gorge on pork, rationalizing it as a necessity for survival, most Islamic scholars would criticize the excessive consumption. Drawing parallels with riba and mortgage loans, it becomes evident that we, as Muslims, should strive to limit our involvement with fiat/riba to the bare minimum. Otherwise, we risk partaking in something displeasing to God and may be held accountable. May Allah forgive our shortcomings and weaknesses. It could perhaps be argued that Muslims who take out fiat loans from banks to finance a home purchase are overconsuming pork, while those Muslims who choose to rent instead are only taking small bites of pork to stay afloat within the hegemonic riba monetary system. Studying this fiat monetary system truly helps a Muslim to appreciate the commands from Allah/God to abstain from riba. It has never been clearer in history why and how riba is such a destructive and evil force in the world. A society permitting riba/interest and normalizing it will ultimately lead to the creation of circumstances where some individuals can enslave others through debt. It’s no wonder that the Ulama only reluctantly allowed paper currency (fiat) due to ‘Umum Al Balwa (ubiquitousness of an affliction).

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