Abstract
This entry explores the notion of promissory notes – senet – and its various variants within the framework of Islamic economics. A promissory note is a written instrument that is executed, signed, and occasionally authenticated by an authorized entity to record a financial transaction or occurrence. Promissory notes, which have a historical lineage tracing back to ancient civilizations, are sometimes referred to as valuable documents, including bills of exchange, checks, and bonds. Promissory notes are permissible within the framework of Islamic law, on the condition that they do not incorporate any violations of Sharia principles, such as riba (usury), gharar (uncertainty), or maysir (gambling). Promissory notes, which held significant significance in the commercial sphere throughout the early era of Islam, are prohibited from assuming the function of generating currency through a credit-based mechanism. In the Islamic finance industry, the selection of securities involves not only adherence to Sharia principles but also the consideration of other criteria. These criteria include the requirement for securities to be supported by tangible assets and to possess adequate assets to satisfy the issuer’s payment obligations. This section focuses on the promissory note’s objective of elucidating its historical evolution and fiqh aspects.
Notes
- 1.
Mecelle is Ottoman Code of Civil Law.
- 2.
In the medieval Islamic culture, the terms “cehbezlik” and “sarraflık” are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to two entities that assume the various roles often associated with a bank. Indeed, to provide a more precise characterization, these two establishments can be identified as the antecedents of contemporary banking systems. The term “Sarraf” originates from the Arabic root “sarf,” which denotes the act of spending. In a professional context, a Sarraf is an individual who specializes in the conversion of various types of currency, including but not limited to old and new coins, local and foreign currencies, as well as gold and silver. This conversion process is conducted in many contexts, and the Sarraf capitalizes on the price differentials that arise during these transactions. In contrast, the contemporary counterpart of cehbez, a historical method for assessing the quality of gold, holds a partially recognized position and mostly comprises individuals engaged in commercial activities. This contemporary practice might be likened to the concept of “banking” (Özdal 2015).
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Ustaoğlu, M. (2024). Promissory Notes. In: Ustaoglu, M., Çakmak, C. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Islamic Finance and Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93703-4_370-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-93703-4_370-1
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