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From metal to paper: validating paper money from Islamic perspective

Imtiaz Mohammad Sifat (Department of Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia – KENMS, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Azhar Mohamad (Department of Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia – KENMS, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

International Journal of Ethics and Systems

ISSN: 2514-9369

Article publication date: 12 February 2018

889

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical, historical, and legal account and analysis of how money, an inexorable lubricant of all economies, evolved from metallic origins to acceptance in paper form in Muslim traditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper underlines flaws, points of objections, corollaries and counter-points, and it ends with a thematic discussion on the way forward for Muslim nations with respect to various political and regulatory implications for implementations of potential paper money alternatives

Findings

After undergoing experimentation and customary use of various objects as money (such as sea shells, gold, silver, stones, tobacco, etc.), the world has finally settled down by embracing paper money as an official medium of exchange.

Originality/value

Paper money also endured many financial crises and initial oppositions to its premise. From an Islamic standpoint, paper money poses certain flaws and limitations that can make it unacceptable from legal perspectives.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia and Research Management Centre of International Islamic University Malaysia for providing the research grant (RAGS 14-045-0108).

Citation

Sifat, I.M. and Mohamad, A. (2018), "From metal to paper: validating paper money from Islamic perspective", International Journal of Ethics and Systems, Vol. 34 No. 1, pp. 2-19. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-06-2017-0090

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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