wish that some have exaggerated riches while others are in such straits that they lack the basic necessities in life.” In the Qur’an, it is decreed that man shall not hunger therein for there is (enough provision): °8 It is God’s design that man shall have ease andnotdifficulty here on earth.°? Inboth the religions of Islam and Christianity, squanderers or vain-users are condemned. Theyare brothers of Satan, the one who is ungrateful to his Lord,”° and are thieves (St. Augustine). For their extravagance and lavishness in living deprive the others who have less in life from their “superfluous or surplus or excess or exaggerated or enormous wealth.” Pope Paul VI said that “no oneis justified to keep whatis superfluous when so manydo notevenhavethebasic necessities inlife.” The Prophet of Islam said, thus: “He whose means and resources are more than his genuine needs, should part with the surplus in favor of the destitutes and indigent folk. He who has morethan his needs, should give awaythe excess to the poor.” By these injunctions, no onehasthe right to squanderhis excess money. In brief, wealth and property have social responsibility because they are given to us in trust or stewardship for the common good and,therefore, should not be wanted for“pride of heaps” or “arrogant selfishness.” St. Augustine says that ifone has excess property and does not help his needy neighbor, he is a thief. He should be deprived of his wealth or riches, says the Qur’an.7' In the Qur’an, it is related that grievous punishments await those who misuse their wealth to the detriment of society. “The Angels will be commanded:seize him fetter him, then cast him into hell; then bind himwitha chain, the length of which is seventycubits.” Islam and Christianity prohibit the practice of usury. Both religions consider usury as abomination. IntheBiblical times, Prophet Moses (Maypeace be upon him) prohibited this practice in credit transaction. The law was followed during the time of Jesus Christ (MPBUH). In fact, the community of followers of Jesus Christ (MPBUH) was onein mindand heart and no onesaid that any of his belongings was his own, but they all shared with one anothereverything theyhad.73 In the Gospelof Luke,the practice of charityis enjoined and the condonationof debt preferred, thus: “Give away from your goods, do not demand them backagain.”74 The many verses in the HolyBible that condemnto badlight the capitalist or publicansof the time of Jesus Christ (MPBUH) and the Universal message therein that enjoins men to practice charity, which attribute is a mark of discipleship according to the Gospel of John,7> would measure the regard accorded to the institution of usury in Christianity. In fact, in 1311 the Council of Vienna condemned the practice as form of heresy and medieval usurers were punished and burnedat the stake in Christendom. In Islam, the prohibition of usury is affirmed.”° Among other reasons, the practice is prohibited becauseit destroys the principle of brotherhood(forit violates the Second Commandment); (2) it is a sure gain without anypossibility of loss; (3) ® Qur'an 20:118-119 ® Qur'an 2:185 Quran 18 7 Qur’an 68:1 ” Qur’ans 69:31-33 7 Acts 2:32 ™ Luke 6:30 7 John 13:34-35 7° Qur’an 3:3 1;2:276-277, 279-280