رِبًا

, (T, M, Msb, K,) or ↓ رِبًوا, (S, Mgh,) [for it is often thus written, and generally thus in the copies of the Qur'an,] with the short ا according to the pronunciation best known, (Msb,) [which implies that it is also pronounced ↓ رِبَاءٌ,] An excess, and an addition: (Msb:) an addition over and above the principal sum [that is lent or expended]: but in the law it signifies an addition obtained in a particular manner: (Er-Rághib, TA:) [i. e. usury, and the like; meaning both unlawful, and lawful, interest or profit; and the practice of taking such interest or profit:] it is in lending, (Zj, T,) or in buying and selling, (S,) and in giving: and is of two kinds; unlawful, and lawful: the unlawful is any loan for which one receives more than the loan, or by means of which one draws a profit; [and the gain made by such means:] and the lawful is a gift by which a man invites more than it to be given to him, or a gift that he gives in order that more than it may be given to him; [and the addition that he so obtains:] (Zj, T:) [it generally means] an addition that is obtained by selling food [&c.] for food [&c.], or ready money for ready money, to be paid at an appointed period; or by exchanging either of such things for more of the same kind: (Bd in ii. 276:) or the taking of an addition in lending and in selling: (PS:) [it is said to be] i. q. عِينَةٌ: (M, K:) [but although رِبًا and عِينَةٌ are both applicable sometimes in the same case, neither of them can be properly said to be generally explanatory of the other, or synonym therewith: رِبَا النَّسِيْيءَةِ is a term specially employed to signify profit obtained in the case of a delay of payment: and رِبَا الفَضْلِ to signify profit obtained by the superior value of a thing received over that of a thing given:] the dual of رِبًا (M, Msb, K) or رِبًوا (S) is رِبَوَانِ and رِبَيَانِ; (S, M, Msb, K;) the former being agreeable with the original; (M, Msb;) the ى in the latter being because of the imáleh occasioned by the preceding kesreh. (M.) See an example near the beginning of the first paragraph of this article ↓ رُبْيَةٌ, thus pronounced by the Arabs, but by the relaters of a tradition, in which it occurs, ↓ رُبِّيَّةٌ, (Fr, T, S, Mgh,) or, as some say, ↓ رُبَيَّةٌ, as though this were the diminutive of رُبْيَةٌ, (Mgh,) is a dialect var. of رِبًوا [or رِبًا]; and by rule should be رُبْوَةٌ: (Fr, T, S, Mgh:) or, according to Z, رُبّيَّةٌ may be of the measure فُعُّولَةٌ from الرِّبَا. (TA.) [See also رَمَاءٌ, in article رمى.]