In the contemporary economic landscape, marked by deep imbalances and a growing disconnect between the real economy and speculative finance, the need to restore an ethical approach that places human dignity, justice and social responsibility at the center is increasingly evident. Islam, in this regard, does not only offer spiritual principles, but provides a concrete framework for conduct also in economic and financial matters.
The Qur’an strongly emphasizes the importance of fairness and condemns practices that lead to injustice and exploitation. Allah says: “Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury” (Qur’an, 2:275). This principle represents one of the foundations of Islamic finance, which is distinguished by the rejection of riba (interest), considered an unjust gain that does not derive from real economic activity, but merely from the passage of time.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ further reinforced this concept, warning the community against unjust economic practices and emphasizing the moral responsibility of every believer. In an authentic hadith, he condemned the one who consumes usury, the one who pays it, the one who records it and its witnesses, highlighting the seriousness of a system that fuels inequality and oppression.
Islamic finance is based on fundamentally different principles: risk-sharing, a strong link to the real economy, the prohibition of speculation, and the obligation of transparency. Instruments such as mudaraba (partnership between capital and labor) and musharaka (joint partnership) represent practical models in which profit is generated through real productive activity and distributed fairly among the parties.
In a world marked by recurring financial crises, this approach should not be seen as opposition to other systems or communities, but as a constructive and positive contribution. Islam calls for dialogue, justice and cooperation among peoples, without discrimination or generalization. The challenges of global finance do not belong to any single people or religion, but arise from economic models that, when detached from ethical foundations, can produce imbalance and injustice.
For this reason, the proposal of Islamic finance can be considered a resource, especially for more vulnerable communities, offering alternative tools based on shared responsibility and real development. It is not about replacing existing systems, but about complementing and enriching the global financial landscape with models that prioritize stability, solidarity and the common good.
As stated by Alfredo Maiolese, President of the European Muslims League (EML), “finance must return to being a tool at the service of humanity, not the other way around. Islam provides clear principles centered on justice, transparency and shared responsibility. Islamic finance is not a proposal against anyone, but for everyone: an ethical model that can contribute to reducing inequalities and building a more balanced economy based on dignity and mutual respect.”
In this spirit, it becomes essential to promote greater awareness of these instruments, encouraging dialogue between different economic systems and supporting solutions capable of addressing global challenges in an inclusive and sustainable manner. In Islam, ethics is not an accessory element, but the very core of every action, including in the economic sphere.
And Allah knows best.
Finance, Ethics and Responsibility: An Islamic Vision at the Service of Social Justice
