Riba and Financial Derivatives (Options, Futures and Forwards)

[Ex-"Quranist"]

Trying to analyze 2282-283.

Would certain financial derivatives be considered riba? The previous verses clearly prohibit and condemn usury/interest - which I define as any increase on debt/a loan - and then this one talks about recording financial transactions.

2282 O you who acknowledge! When you borrow debt for a specified period, you shall record it. Let a scribe of justice record it for you. (No scribe should refuse to record as God has taught him). Let him record and let the person who is borrowing dictate to him, and let him be conscientious of God, and let him not reduce from it anything. If the borrower is mentally incapable, weak or cannot dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate with justice. Bring two witnesses from amongst your men. If they are not two men, then a man and two women from whom you will accept their testimony, so that if one of the two females errs, the other can remind her. (The witnesses should not decline if they are called). And you should not fail to record it no matter how small or large including the time of repayment. (That is more just with God and better for the testimony, and better that you do not have doubts). Only in case it is a trade to be done on the spot between you, there is no blame on you if you do not record it. Have witnesses when you trade. (No scribe shall be harmed nor any witness; for if you do so then it is vileness on your part. Be conscientious of God so that God teaches you; and God is aware of all things.)

So if there is a delay in goods, it must be recorded and witnessed. This is basically describing a forward/future contract. Options are similar contracts, but with company stocks - but risk is involved because the stock has to hit a certain strike price during the contract time (American option) or at the end only (European option). The value of the option fluctuates based on the underlying stock - dictated by calculus algorithms. Is this fluctuation/increase in value riba? Should options only be allowed to be excercised or is it totally legitimate?

Does the fluctuation go against 429 and therefore constitute riba?

429 O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly. There shall only be mutually acceptable trade between you. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you.

Verse 2283 is translated in different ways here

Muhammad Asad (The Message Of Quran)
2283 And if you are on a journey and cannot find a scribe, pledges in hand but if you trust one another, then let him who is trusted fulfil his trust, and let him be conscious of God, his Sustainer. And do not conceal what you have witnessed276 - for, verily, he who conceals it is sinful at heart; and God has full knowledge of all that you do.

Edip-Layth (Quran A Reformist Translation)
2283 If you are traveling or do not find a scribe, then a pledge of collateral. If you trust each other then let the one who was entrusted deliver his trust, and let him be conscientious of God, and do not hold back the testimony. Whoever holds it back, then he has sinned in his heart; God is aware of what you do.

Rashad Khalifa (The Final Testament)
2283 If you are traveling, and no scribe is available, a bond shall be posted to guarantee repayment. If one is trusted in this manner, he shall return the bond when due, and he shall observe GOD his Lord. Do not withhold any testimony by concealing what you had witnessed. Anyone who withholds a testimony is sinful at heart. GOD is fully aware of everything you do.

Shabbir Ahmed (Quran As It Explains Itself)
2283 If you are traveling and a scribe is not available, a collateral of some value may serve the purpose, or a bond shall be posted to guarantee repayment. If one is trusted in this manner, he shall return the collateral or the bond when due, and be mindful of God, his Lord. Do not withhold any testimony by concealing what you have witnessed. Anyone who withholds a testimony will be harming his own ?self?, loading his heart with a dragging violation. God is Aware of all you do.

This seems to be talking about taking of collateral.

Input?

[Abdun_Nur]

Peace Progressive,

I explained riba clearly to your previously in another thread, yet you continue to perpetuate confusion and contradictions, to intentionally deceive and confuse others is not the act of reason or in anyway helpful. My question is why do you?