Abstract:
This research explores the classical Islamic contract of Bayʿ al-Ṣarf (currency exchange), analyzing its enduring principles and their applicability to modern financial systems. Drawing upon the authoritative juristic framework of Imam Muḥammad al-Shaybānī’s foundational work, al-Ḥujjah ʿalā Ahl al-Madīnah, the study examines key conditions such as immediate possession (qabḍ), absence of speculation, and the prohibition of uncertainty (gharar). It evaluates these classical rules against contemporary practices, including foreign exchange (forex) trading, digital banking, and cryptocurrencies. The analysis concludes that while spot transactions with instant settlement may be compliant, many forms of speculative and deferred currency trading contravene the strict requirements of Bayʿ al-Ṣarf. The study advocates for integrating these classical juristic insights into modern Islamic finance regulations to develop Shariah-compliant standards for evolving digital and global currency markets.
Keywords: Bayʿ al-Ṣarf, Islamic Finance, Contemporary Applications, Imam Muḥammad al-Shaybānī, Fiqh al-Muʿāmalāt
