The Problem with Interest - Tapa blanda

After much waiting a refreshing book on the subject of interest has finally appeared. In the din of confusing voices for and against interest, this is an enjoyably frank treatment of the subject ... I recommend it as compulsory reading for all those interested in the subject of interest and the Islamic position on money and banking (1st edition review). --Muhammad Akram Khan, Muslim World Book Review, October 1999

This is a well-researched, practical and comprehensive book on the flaws of the conventional fractional reserve banking system based on riba (interest). Some background in finance is assumed, and yet it is accessible to the lay-person who wants to understand the history of money, the eradication of gold as a legal tender and store of wealth, why certain Islamic financial products are in the early stages of implementation, and why others are not fully Sharia'a compliant yet (2nd edition review). --M. Syed Hoque, American Journal of Islamic Finance, April 2004

Tarek El Diwany's detailed and forthright commentary on the nature of usury and modern banking has attracted a wide readership since it was first published in 1997. This new edition has been extended with material arising from the recent financial crisis and includes a wealth of academic and popular references for readers who wish to delve deeper into the topic. The author's critique of current practices in the field of Islamic banking and finance has also been updated and a standard transliteration scheme for Arabic terminology is now adopted throughout.