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Reconstructing Integrative Islamic Economics: Imam Mālik’s Substantive Legal-Economic Framework in al-Muwaṭṭaʾ and Its Relevance for Contemporary Plural Legal System

Contemporary Issues on Interfaith Law and Society · Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025) · pp. 141–182

DOI
10.15294/ciils.v4i1.28153
ISSN
2829-8624, 2829-8373
Published
2025-06-27
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

Islamic economics integrates normative ethical principles with empirical realities, emphasizing justice (ʿadl), welfare (maṣlaḥah), and holistic prosperity (falāḥ). In contrast to conventional economics, which often detaches value judgments from analysis, Islamic economics seeks moral coherence in practice. This study explores the integrative economic thought of Imam Mālik ibn Anas (93–179 AH / 711–795 CE) as articulated in al-Muwaṭṭaʾ, a foundational legal text notable for embedding legal rulings within real economic contexts. Mālik’s jurisprudence reflects an empirical-normative synthesis, operationalizing Sharīʿah ethics in economic transactions through principles such as value equivalence, transparency, risk-sharing, and avoidance of speculation (gharar, maysir). The study employs a multidisciplinary qualitative methodology grounded in textual analysis to examine how al-Muwaṭṭaʾ provides a coherent framework for value-based economics. It investigates key legal-economic themes including contract ethics, distributive justice, monetary stability, and risk management. Findings suggest that Mālik’s integrative approach offers a corrective paradigm for contemporary Islamic finance, which often privileges legal form over economic substance. His model supports a shift toward ethical substance aligned with maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, offering relevance not only within Muslim-majority societies but also in pluralistic legal systems. This study contributes to the development of Islamic economic thought by advocating a paradigm rooted in ethical authenticity, responsive governance, and cross-cultural applicability—thereby advancing a more substantive and policy-relevant Islamic economic discourse.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 87 co-authorship links · showing the 40 most connected

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  • Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Anwar SutoyoAffiliation unknown4
Ali MasyharAffiliation unknown3
Rohadhatul AisyAffiliation unknown2
Edy PurwantoAffiliation unknown2
Mungin Eddy WibowoAffiliation unknown2
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad SabriAffiliation unknown1
Roziya AbuAffiliation unknown1
Baidhowi BaidhowiAffiliation unknown1
Rayi Kharisma RajibAffiliation unknown1
Ahmad RofiqAffiliation unknown1
Azmia Khafidzotul LabibahAffiliation unknown1
Yeni Puspita SariAffiliation unknown1
Dwi Yuwono Puji SugihartoAffiliation unknown1
Cempaka Wuryani KusumaAffiliation unknown1
Edwindha Prafitra NugraheniAffiliation unknown1
Agustin Yahya MardianingsihAffiliation unknown1
Uswatun ChasanahSunan Kalijaga State Islamic University Yogyakarta1
Mulawarman MulawarmanAffiliation unknown1
Rahmad BudimanAffiliation unknown1
Sunawan SunawanAffiliation unknown1
Elvia Purwaningrum Diyah PalupiAffiliation unknown1
Nurul HudaAffiliation unknown1
Mungin Eddy WibowoAffiliation unknown1
Ainun FadlilahAffiliation unknown1
Vidy AstutiAffiliation unknown1
Nabila FuadinaAffiliation unknown1
Raharjo RaharjoAffiliation unknown1
Moh. Amiril MukmininAffiliation unknown1
Ali ImronAffiliation unknown1
Siti MagfiratunAffiliation unknown1
Zulhendra ZulhendraAffiliation unknown1
Ibnu FikriAffiliation unknown1
Anis WidyawatiAffiliation unknown1
M. Azil MaskurAffiliation unknown1
Mochammad Achwan BaharuddinAffiliation unknown1
Moh. Erfan SoebaharAffiliation unknown1
Safitri YulikhahAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ciils/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Reconstructing Integrative Islamic Economics: Imam Mālik’s Substantive Legal-Economic Framework in al-Muwaṭṭaʾ and Its Relevance for Contemporary Plural Legal System</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Murtadho, Ali </dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Mujibatun, Siti</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Mohamad, Maizatul Saadiah</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Islamic Economics</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Imam Malik</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Al-Muwaṭṭaʾ</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">legal pluralism</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Islamic economics integrates normative ethical principles with empirical realities, emphasizing justice (ʿadl), welfare (maṣlaḥah), and holistic prosperity (falāḥ). In contrast to conventional economics, which often detaches value judgments from analysis, Islamic economics seeks moral coherence in practice. This study explores the integrative economic thought of Imam Mālik ibn Anas (93–179 AH / 711–795 CE) as articulated in al-Muwaṭṭaʾ, a foundational legal text notable for embedding legal rulings within real economic contexts. Mālik’s jurisprudence reflects an empirical-normative synthesis, operationalizing Sharīʿah ethics in economic transactions through principles such as value equivalence, transparency, risk-sharing, and avoidance of speculation (gharar, maysir). The study employs a multidisciplinary qualitative methodology grounded in textual analysis to examine how al-Muwaṭṭaʾ provides a coherent framework for value-based economics. It investigates key legal-economic themes including contract ethics, distributive justice, monetary stability, and risk management. Findings suggest that Mālik’s integrative approach offers a corrective paradigm for contemporary Islamic finance, which often privileges legal form over economic substance. His model supports a shift toward ethical substance aligned with maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, offering relevance not only within Muslim-majority societies but also in pluralistic legal systems. This study contributes to the development of Islamic economic thought by advocating a paradigm rooted in ethical authenticity, responsive governance, and cross-cultural applicability—thereby advancing a more substantive and policy-relevant Islamic economic discourse.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-06-27</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ciils/article/view/28153</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/ciils.v4i1.28153</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Contemporary Issues on Interfaith Law and Society; Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025): Intersections of Religious Diversity, Legal Frameworks, and Human Rights; 141-182</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2829-8624</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2829-8373</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ciils/article/view/28153/5117</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Ali Murtadh, Siti Mujibatun, Maizatul Saadiah Mohamad (Author)</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>