Exploitation, profit and theriba‐interest reductionism

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a critical appraisal of the theme ofzulm(injustice/exploitation) in light of the Islamic finance literature and the general attitude and approach of the Islamic finance industry and its advocates.Design/methodology/approachBased on an expanding theoretical and empirical knowledge base about Islamic finance and banking movement, and the emerging understanding about the role of profit and corporate behavior, a critical analysis of the role ofriba, interest and profit in widespread injustice and exploitation is presented.FindingsOn the basis of the behavior of the Islamic finance industry, it seems that the industry's current practices are either neutral to the issue of injustice/exploitation or mirrors the tendencies of the conventional finance. Furthermore, when comparing the exploitative role of interest and profit, the latter seems to be more consequential than generally understood and acknowledged.Research limitations/implicationsIslamic economics/finance literature should have more empirical research in identifying and understanding the nature of exploitation in the contemporary world and in how the current practices or tendencies are minimizing or abetting the challenge of exploitation.Practical implicationsThe larger goal of the Islamic finance and banking movement should be to be in harmony with themaqasidof Islam to minimizezulm(injustice/exploitation) in the society.Social implicationsThe larger goal of the Islamic finance and banking movement should be to be in harmony with themaqasidof Islam to minimizezulm(injustice/exploitation) in the society.Originality/valueWhile the literature of Islamic economics and finance is rather robust, this might be the first work that critically examines theriba‐interest reductionism, especially to focus on its implication for attention of the industry being away from exploitation in general and the relationship between profit and exploitation in particular.