Bai’ al-Sarf

Abstract

Throughout the historical progression of Islam, the role and functions of money have undergone significant transformations in tandem with the evolution of economic interactions. Islamic economics encompasses a multitude of themes that scrutinize the impact of monetary transactions on the economic sphere. This entry provides an explanation of the “bai al-sarf” transactions, which are commonly referred to as contracts involving the exchange of money for the same or different types of currency, as outlined in Islamic jurisprudence. The field of Islamic law encompasses the regulation of transactions, including those pertaining to the exchange of two currencies, which are governed by bai al-sarf contracts. In contemporary financial markets, currencies are predominantly represented by fiat money, whose value is contingent upon various factors including supply and demand dynamics, political circumstances, macroeconomic indicators, and the stability of the respective nation-state. This stands in contrast to historical practices where currencies were often backed by precious metals like gold and silver. Hence, it is not feasible to restrict the role of money solely to that of a means of trade within contemporary economic systems. The prevailing inclination among modern legal scholars is that the utilization of money as a financial instrument for investment purposes is seen acceptable, provided that it adheres to lawful constraints such as the prohibition of ribā and speculation, as well as the avoidance of excessive uncertainty (gharar). The determination of transactional procedures in Islamic FOREX markets is governed by the rules set forth by the AAOIFI. Financial transactions under the purview of bai al-sarf contracts, which adhere to the prescribed norms and align with the demands of the contemporary economy, are deemed permissible within the Islam.