Perception of Riba Among the Muslims in Malaysia: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

This study explores the perception of Muslims in Malaysia’s about ribaÌ„, eating pork, drinking alcohol and dating. A pilot questionnaire was developed. To avoid social desirability, the questionnaire treated respondents as informants. 267 informants responded to the pilot. The Cronbach alpha was 0.743. The questionnaire was improved with the addition of four additional questions. A new questionnaire was answered by 351 informants. The Cronbach alpha increased to 0.78. The findings were compared to similar data collected on the perceptions’ towards eating pork, drinking alcohol and dating. About 31% of Muslims have no problems taking ribaÌ„. About 40% of Muslims seem unsure about the legal status of ribaÌ„. 55% said that Muslims take ribaÌ„ from time to time, 48% said that Muslims were forced to take ribaÌ„ while only 36% found that ribaÌ„ was the logical thing to do. Only 25% of Muslims believed that ribaÌ„ would a good thing. Further analysis suggests that there are structural reasons why Muslims take ribaÌ„. This author suggests that these findings establish a base-line from which future researchers might understand how sins become cultually acceptable or become culturally unacceptable.