Developing Islamic finance in the framework ofmaqasid al-Shari'ah

Purpose The paper aims to investigate the dimensions of maqasid al-Shari'ah in Islamic finance by exploring the ends (maqasid) and the means (wasa'il). Those would clarify the nature and goals of Islamic finance as well as its directional development. Design/methodology/approach Using literature in English and Arabic sources in the area of maqasid al-Shari'ah, as well as from the reading of the primary sources (the Qur'anic texts/nusus), the paper attempts to delineate the dimensions that would constitute the ends (maqasid) and the means (wasa'il) in Islamic finance. Findings The paper explicates three specific ends (maqasid) in Islamic finance, namely wealth circulation, fair and transparent financial practices and justice at the micro- and macro-level. To achieve those ends, the Shari'ah provides means (wasa'il) such as facilitating financial contracts, establishing values and standards and instituting social responsibility. Research limitations/implications The paper is a conceptual paper that explores the dimensions of maqasid al-Shari'ah in Islamic finance. Practical implications The findings of this paper will give insights on the ends (maqasid) and the means (wasa'il) in Islamic finance based on the maqasid al-Shari'ah discourse. It could be used as a reference in understanding the nature of Islamic finance and in developing a sound and solid Islamic finance based on the Shari'ah. Originality/value The paper proposes the ends-and-means criteria in Islamic finance, developed on the basis of the maqasid al-Shari'ah discourse as well as from direct reading of the texts (nusus), which is lacking in the Islamic finance literature.