Beyond profits

Islamic Finance, an ethical and sustainable system

Authors

  • Reda Mouna Abdelmalek Essaâdi University – Faculty of Legal, Economic and Social Sciences, Tangier

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23882/emss25226

Keywords:

Islamic Finance, Sustainable Development, Ethics, Maqasid al-Shari’ah, SDGs

Abstract

This study explores the ethical nature of Islamic finance and its role as a sustainable alternative to the neoclassical system. The latter, with its emphasis on selfish individualism and wealth accumulation, often conflicts with genuine sustainability. Through a normative and conceptual analysis within a normative epistemology, we highlight Islamic finance's inherent ethical dimension, particularly its prohibition of interest and exclusion of harmful sectors. By aligning Maqasid al-Shari'ah with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this research demonstrates the ethical convergence of Islamic finance with sustainability, presenting it as a more fitting framework for resource protection and human well-being.

References

Bukowski, A. (2014). Social Role of Alms (zakāt) in Islamic Economies. Annales Etyka W Życiu Gospodarczym, 17(4), 123–131. https://doi.org/10.18778/1899-2226.17.4.10

Chapra, M. U. (1992). Islam and the economic challenge. International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).

Chapra, M. U. (2008). The Islamic Vision of Development in the light of the Maqasid Al-Shari’ah. Occasional Papers.

Dasar, M. H. M., & Sujimon, M. S. (2018). The Classical Islamic View of Sadaqah: A Preliminary study. International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Research, 1(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.53840/ijiefer34

Hassan, A., & Mollah, S. (2018). Islamic Finance: Ethical Underpinnings, Products, and Institutions. Palgrave Macmillan.

Hassan, M. K., Muneeza, A., & Saraç, M. (2021). Need to redefine Islamic finance in the light of maqasid Al-Shariah. In Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development (pp. 11–34). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76016-8_2

Iqbal, Z., & Mirakhor, A. (2011). An Introduction to Islamic Finance: Theory and Practice. Wiley.

Iqbal, Z., & Shafiq, B. (2015). Islamic Finance and the role of Qard-al-Hassan (Benevolent Loans) in enhancing inclusion: A case study of Akhuwat. ACRN Oxford Journal of Finance and Risk Perspectives, 4(4), 23–40.

Kahf, M. (2003). The role of Waqf in improving the ummah welfare. International Seminar on Waqf as a Private Legal Body, Medan, Indonesia.

Kamali, M. H. (2016). Islam and Sustainable Development. Islam and Civilisational Renewal.

Lamido, A. A. (2016). Maqasid al-Shari’ah as a framework for Economic development theorization. International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Studies, 2(1), 27–49. https://doi.org/10.12816/0036594

Moghul, U. F. (2017). A socially responsible Islamic finance: Character and the Common Good. Palgrave Macmillan.

Qureshi, A. I. (1946). Islam and the theory of interest.

Saba, I., Khan, A., & Jawed, H. (2021). Islamic Finance and SDGs: connecting dots. In Islamic Finance and Sustainable Development (pp. 55–76). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76016-8_4

Schwartz, M. (2003). The “Ethics” of Ethical Investing. Journal of Business Ethic, 195–213.

Siddiqi, M. N. (2004). RIBA, bank interest and the rationale of its prohibition.

Yusuf, T. O., Raimi, L., & Shuaib, A. A. (2024). The power of Faith-Based finance: How Islamic Finance supports the achievement of the sustainable development goals. In Islamic Finance in the Modern Era (pp. 300–325). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003366751-19

Downloads

Published

2025-12-08

How to Cite

Mouna, R. (2025). Beyond profits: Islamic Finance, an ethical and sustainable system. RMd • Economics, Management & Social Sciences, 2(3), 107–124. https://doi.org/10.23882/emss25226