Hukum Forex Pdf

Forex menurut Hukum Islam Banyak perbedaan pendapat tentang forex itu sendiri, ada yang mengatakan tidak boleh, tetapi ada juga yang mengatakan boleh. Dibawah ini adalah pendapat yang membolehkan dari beberapa forex itui sendiri (sedan yang tidak membolehkan forex itui sendiri, silahkan search di Google). Fit4global. wordpress hanya memberi wacana, dan hanya fokus ke riset ilmiah tentang pergerakan forex. Fit4global. wordpress memang didedikasikan untuk meriset secara logika dan ilmiah tentang pergerakan forex baik teknikal maupun fundamental. Sebagian umat islam ada yang meragukan kehalalan praktik perdigangan berjangka. Bagaimana menurut padangan para pakar Islam Apa pendapat para ulama mengenai comercio forex, comercio saham, índice de comercio, saham, dan komoditi Apakah Hukum Forex Trading Valas Halal Menurut Hukum Islam Mari kita ikuti selengkapnya. Jangan engkau menjual sesuatu yang tidak ada padamu, sabda Nabi Muhammad SAW, dalam sebuah hadits riwayat Abu Hurairah. Oleh sementara fuqaha (ahli fiqih Islam), hadits tersebut ditafsirkan secara saklek. Pokoknya, setiap praktik jual beli yang tidak ada barangnya pada waktu akad, haram. Penafsiran secara demikian itu, tak pelak lagi, membuat fiqih Islam sulit untuk memenuhi tuntutan jaman yang terus berkembang dengan perubahan-perubahannya. Karena itu, sejumlah ulama klasik yang terkenal dengan pemikiran cemerlangnya, menentang cara penafsiran yang terkesan sempit tersebut. Misalnya, Ibn al-Qayyim. Ulama bermazhab Hambali ini berpendapat, bahwa tidak benar jual-beli barang yang tidak ada dilarang. Baik dalam Al Corán, sunnah maupun fatwa para sahabat, larangan itu tidak ada. Dalam Sunnah Nabi, hanya terdapat larangan menjual barang yang belum ada, sebagaimana larangan beberapa barang yang sudah ada pada waktu akad. Causa legis atau ilat larangan tersebut bukan ada atau tidak adanya barang, melainkan garar, ujar El Dr. Syamsul Anwar, MA dari IAIN Suka Yogyakarta menjelaskan pendapat Ibn al-Qayyim. Garar adalah ketidakpastian tentang apaká barang yang diperjual-belikan itu dapat diserahkan atau tidak. Misalnya, seseorang menjual unta yang hilang. Atau menjual barang milik orang lain, padahal tidak diberi kewenangan oleh yang bersangkutan. Jadi, meskipun pada waktu akad barangnya tidak ada, namun ada kepastian diadakan pada waktu diperlukan sehingga bisa diserahkan kepada pembeli, maka jual beli tersebut sah. Sebaliknya, kendati barangnya sudah ada tapi karena satu dan lain hal tidak mungkin diserahkan kepada pembeli, maka jual beli itu tidak sah. Perdagangan berjangka, jelas, bukan garar. Sebab, dalam kontrak berjangkanya, jenis komoditi yang dijual-belikan sudah ditentukan. Begitu juga dengan jumlah, mutu, tempat dan waktu penyerahannya. Semuanya berjalan di atas rel atur resmi yang ketat, sebagai antisipasi terjadinya praktek penyimpangan berupa penipuan satu hal yang sebetulnya bisa juga terjadi pada praktik jua-beli konvensional. Dalam perspektif hukum Islam, Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi (PBK) (foral adalah bagian dari PBK) dapat dimasukkan dalam kategori almasail almuashirah atau masala-masala hukum Islam kontemporer. Karena itu, estado hukumnya dapat dikategorikan kepada masalah ijtihadiyyah. Klasifikasi ijtihadiyyah masuk ke dalam wilayah fi ma la nasha fih, yakni masala hukum yang tidak mempunyai referensi nash hukum yang pasti. Dalam kategori masala hukum al-Sahrastani, es decir, dalam paradigma al-nushush qad intahat wa al-waqaI la tatanahi. Artinya, nash hukum dalam bentuk Al-Quran dan Sunnah sudah selesai tidak lagi ada tambahan. Dengan demikian, kasus-kasus hukum, yang baru, muncul, mesti, diberikan, kepastian, hukumnya, melalui, ijtihad. Dalam kasus hukum PBK, ijtihad dapat merujuk kepada teori perubahan hukum yang diperkenalkan oleh Ibn Qoyyim al-Jauziyyah. Ia menjelaskan, fatwa hukum dapat berubah karena beberapa variabel perubahnya, yakni: waktu, tempat, niat, tujuan dan manfaat. Teori perubahan hukum eni diturunkan dari paradigma ilmu hukum dari gurunya Ibn Taimiyyah, yang menyatakan bahwa a-haqiqah fi al-ayan la fi al-adzhan. Artinya, kebenaran hukum itu dijumpai dalam kenyataan empirik bukan dalam alam pemikiran idea de atau alam. Paradigma ini diturunkan dari prinsip hukum islam tentang keadilan yang dalam Al Quran digunakan istilah al-mizan, al-qisth, al-wasth, al-adl. Dalam penerapannya, secara khusus masala PBK dapat dimasukkán ke dalam bidang kaji fiqh al-siyasah maliyyah, yakni politik hukum kebendaan. Dengan kata lain, PBK termasuk kajian hukum islam dalam pengertian bagaimana hukum islam diterapkan dalam masalah kepemilikan atas harta benda, melalui perdagangan berjangka komoditi dalam era globalistasi dan perdagangan bebas. Realisasi yang palidez mungkin dentro rangka melindungi pelaku dan pihak-yang pihak terlibat dentro Perdagangan Berjangka komoditi dentro ruang dan waktu Serta Pertimbangan tujuan dan manfaatnya dewasa ini, sejalan dengan semangat dan Bunyi UU Nº 32/1977 tentang PBK. Karena teori Perubahan hukum seperti dijelaskan di atas, de Dapat menunjukkan elastisitas hukum Islam dentro de kelembagaan dan praktek perekonomian, maka PBK dentro de un sistem hukum Islam de Dapat dianalogikan dengan bahía biajil al-salamajl. Bahía al-salam dapat diartikan sebagai berikut. Al-salam atau al-salaf adalah bay ajl biajil, yakni memperjualbelikan sesuatu yang dengan ketentuan sifat-sifatnya yang terjamin kebenarannya. Di dalam transaksi demikian, penyerahan ras al-mal dalam bentuk uang sebagai nilai tukar didahulukan daripada penyerahan komoditi yang dimaksud dalam transaksi itu. ditangguhkan Akad atas komoditas jual beli yang diberi sifat terjamin yang (Berjangka) dengan Gama jual yang ditetapkan di dentro de la bursa akad: Ulama Syafiiyah dan Hanabilah mendefinisikannya dengan. Keabsahan transaksi jual beli Berjangka, ditentukan oleh terpenuhinya rukun dan syarat sebagai berikut: a) Rukun sebagai utama unsur-unsur yang Harus ada dentro Suatu peristiwa transaksi Unsur-unsur utama di dentro de la bahía al-Salam adalah: Pihak-pihak pelaku transaksi (aqid) Yang disebut dengan istilah musulmanes atau musulmanes ilaih. Objek transaksi (maqud alaih), yaitu barang-barang komoditi berjangka y harga tukar (ras al-mal al-salam al-muslim fih). Kalimat transaksi (Sighat aqad), yaitu ijab dan kabul. Yang perlu diperhatikan dari unsur-unsur tersebut, adalah bahwa ijab dan qabul dinyatakan dalam bahasa dan kalimat yang jelas menunjukkan transaksi berjangka. Karena UIT, ulemas Syafiiyah menekankan penggunaan istilah al-Salam al-salaf atau di dentro kalimat-kalimat transaksi UIT, dengan alasan bahwa aqd al-Salam al-adalah bahía madum dengan sifat dan Cara berbeda dari akad jual dan beli (compra). Persyaratan menyangkut objek transaksi, adalah: bahwa objek transaksi, harus memenuhi, kejelasan mengenai: jenisnya (un yakun fi jinsin malumin), sifatnya, ukuran (kadar), jangka penyerahan, harga tukar, tempat penyerahan. Persyaratan yang harus dipenuhi oleh harga tukar (al-tsaman), adalá, Pertama, kejelasan jenis alat tukar, yaitu dirham, dinar, rupia atau dolar dsb atau barang-barang yang dapat ditimbang, disukat, dsb. Kedua, kejelasan jenis alat tukar apakah rupia, dolar Amerika, dolar Singapura, dst. Apakah timbangan yang disepakati dalam bentuk kilogramo, estanque, dst. Kejelasan tentang kualitas objek transaksi, apakah kualitas istimewa, baik sedang atau buruk. Syarat-syarat di atas ditetapkán dengan maksud menghilangkan jahalah fi al-aqd atau alasan ketidaktahu kondisi-kondisi barang pada saat transaksi. Sebab hal ini akan mengakibatkan terjadinya perselisán di antara pelaku transaksi, yang akan merusak nilai transaksi. Kejelasan jumlah harga tukar. Penjelasan singkat di atas nampaknya telah dapat miembro kejelasan kebolehan PBK. Kalaupun dentro pelaksanaannya masih ada pihak-yang pihak MERASA dirugikan dengan Peraturan perundang-yang Undangan ada, maka dapatlah digunakan kaidah hukum atau máxima legal yang berbunyi: MA La yudrak kulluh la yutrak kulluh. Apa yang tidak dapat dilaksanakan semuanya, tidak del maka perlu ditinggalkan keseluruhannya. Dengan demikian, hukum dan pelaksanaan PBK sampai batas-batas tertentu boleh dinyatakan dapat diterima atau setidak-tidaknya sesuai dengan sinangat jiwa norma hukum Islam, dengan menganalogikan kepada bay al-salam. 1. Los Contratos Básicos de Cambio Existe un consenso general entre los juristas islámicos sobre la opinión de que las monedas de diferentes países pueden ser intercambiadas sobre una base spot a una tasa diferente de la unidad, ya que las monedas de diferentes países son entidades distintas con diferentes valores o valor intrínseco , Y el poder adquisitivo. También parece haber un acuerdo general entre la mayoría de los estudiosos sobre la opinión de que el intercambio de divisas a plazo no es permisible, es decir, cuando los derechos y obligaciones de ambas partes se refieren a una fecha futura. Sin embargo, existe una considerable diferencia de opinión entre los juristas cuando los derechos de cualquiera de las partes, que son iguales a las obligaciones de la contraparte, se aplazan a una fecha futura. Para elaborar, consideremos el ejemplo de dos individuos A y B que pertenecen a dos países diferentes, India y Estados Unidos, respectivamente. A tiene la intención de vender rupias indias y comprar dólares estadounidenses. Lo contrario es cierto para B. El tipo de cambio rupia-dólar acordado es 1:20 y la transacción implica la compra y venta de 50. La primera situación es que A hace un pago al contado de Rs1000 a B y acepta el pago de 50 de B. La transacción se liquida sobre una base spot desde ambos extremos. Tales transacciones son válidas e islámicamente admisibles. No hay dos opiniones sobre el mismo. La segunda posibilidad es que la liquidación de la transacción de ambos extremos se difiera a una fecha futura, digamos después de seis meses a partir de ahora. Esto implica que tanto A como B harán y aceptarán el pago de Rs1000 o 50, según sea el caso, después de seis meses. La opinión predominante es que tal contrato no es islámicamente permisible. Una opinión minoritaria la considera admisible. El tercer escenario es que la transacción está parcialmente liquidada desde un solo extremo. Por ejemplo, A hace un pago de Rs1000 ahora a B en lugar de una promesa de B para pagar 50 a él después de seis meses. Alternativamente, A acepta 50 ahora de B y promete pagar Rs1000 a él después de seis meses. Existen opiniones diametralmente opuestas sobre la admisibilidad de tales contratos que equivalen a bai-salam en monedas. El propósito de este trabajo es presentar un análisis exhaustivo de varios argumentos en apoyo y en contra de la permisibilidad de estos contratos básicos que involucran monedas. La primera forma de contratación que implica el intercambio de contravalores sobre una base de punto es más allá de cualquier tipo de controversia. La admisibilidad o no del segundo tipo de contrato en el que se remite la entrega de uno de los contravalores a una fecha futura se discute generalmente en el marco de la prohibición riba. En consecuencia, discutimos este contrato detalladamente en la sección 2 que trata de la cuestión de la prohibición de riba. La admisibilidad de la tercera forma de contrato en la que la entrega de ambos contravalores es diferida, se discute generalmente en el marco de la reducción del riesgo y la incertidumbre o gharar involucrados en tales contratos. Este es, por lo tanto, el tema central de la sección 3 que trata de la cuestión de gharar. Sección 4 intentos de una visión holística de la Sharia se refiere a cuestiones como también la importancia económica de las formas básicas de contratación en el mercado de divisas. 2. La cuestión de la prohibición de Riba La divergencia de puntos de vista1 sobre la permisibilidad o no de los contratos de cambio en monedas puede atribuirse principalmente a la cuestión de la prohibición riba. La necesidad de eliminar riba en todas las formas de contratos de cambio es de suma importancia. Riba en su contexto sharia se define generalmente2 como una ganancia ilegal derivada de la desigualdad cuantitativa de los contravalores en cualquier transacción que pretenda efectuar el intercambio de dos o más especies (anwa), que pertenecen al mismo género (jins) y se rigen por La misma causa eficiente (illa). Riba se clasifica generalmente en riba al-fadl (exceso) y riba al-nasia (aplazamiento) que denotan una ventaja ilegal por exceso o aplazamiento respectivamente. La prohibición del primero se alcanza mediante una estipulación de que el tipo de cambio entre los objetos es unidad y ninguna ganancia es permisible a ninguna de las partes. Este último tipo de riba se prohíbe al no permitir la liquidación diferida y asegurarse de que la transacción sea liquidada in situ por ambas partes. Otra forma de riba se denomina riba al-jahiliyya o riba pre-islámica que surge cuando el prestamista pide al prestatario en la fecha de vencimiento si este último liquidará la deuda o aumentará la misma. El aumento se acompaña de cobrar intereses sobre la cantidad inicialmente prestada. La prohibición de riba en el intercambio de monedas que pertenecen a diferentes países requiere un proceso de analogía (qiyas). Y en cualquier ejercicio de analogía (qiyas), la causa eficiente (illa) desempeña un papel extremadamente importante. Es una causa eficiente común (illa), que conecta el objeto de la analogía con su sujeto, en el ejercicio del razonamiento analógico. La causa eficiente apropiada (illa) en caso de contratos de intercambio ha sido variadamente definida por las principales escuelas de Fiqh. Esta diferencia se refleja en el razonamiento análogo para monedas de papel pertenecientes a diferentes países. Una cuestión de considerable importancia en el proceso del razonamiento análogo se refiere a la comparación entre las monedas de papel con el oro y la plata. En los primeros días del Islam, el oro y la plata cumplían todas las funciones del dinero (thaman). Las monedas se hicieron de oro y plata con un valor intrínseco conocido (cuánto de oro o plata contenido en ellos). Estas monedas se describen como thaman haqiqi, o naqdain en la literatura Fiqh. Estos eran universalmente aceptables como principal medio de intercambio, lo que representa una gran parte de las transacciones. Muchas otras mercancías, tales como varios metales inferiores, también sirvieron como medio de intercambio, pero con aceptabilidad limitada. Estos son descritos como fals en la literatura Fiqh. Estos también se conocen como thaman istalahi debido al hecho de que su aceptabilidad no se deriva de su valor intrínseco, sino debido al estatus concedido por la sociedad durante un período de tiempo particular. Las anteriores dos formas de monedas han sido tratadas de manera muy diferente por los primeros juristas islámicos desde el punto de vista de la admisibilidad de los contratos que los implican. La cuestión que debe resolverse es si las monedas de papel de la presente era de la categoría anterior o de la segunda. Un punto de vista es que estos deben ser tratados a la par con thaman haqiqi o oro y plata, ya que estos sirven como el principal medio de intercambio y unidad de cuenta como este último. Por lo tanto, por razonamiento análogo, todas las normas relacionadas con la Sharia y los mandamientos aplicables a thaman haqiqi también deben aplicarse al papel moneda. El intercambio de thaman haqiqi se conoce como bai-sarf, y por lo tanto, las transacciones en monedas de papel deben ser gobernadas por las reglas de Sharia relevantes para bai-sarf. La opinión contraria sostiene que las monedas de papel deben ser tratadas de manera similar a fals o thaman istalahi debido al hecho de que su valor nominal es diferente de su valor intrínseco. Su aceptabilidad se deriva de su estatus legal dentro del país nacional o de su importancia económica global (como en el caso de dólares de los Estados Unidos, por ejemplo). 2.1. Una síntesis de puntos de vista alternativos 2.1.1. Razonamiento analógico (Qiyas) para la prohibición de Riba La prohibición de la riba se basa en la tradición de que el santo profeta (la paz sea con él) dijo: Vender oro para el oro, plata para la plata, trigo para el trigo, cebada para la cebada, Sal para la sal, en las mismas cantidades en el lugar y cuando las mercancías son diferentes, vender como le convenga, pero en el acto. Por lo tanto, la prohibición de la riba se aplica principalmente a los dos metales preciosos (oro y plata) y cuatro otras mercancías (trigo, cebada, dátiles y sal). También se aplica, por analogía (qiyas) a todas las especies que son gobernadas por la misma causa eficiente (illa) o que pertenecen a cualquiera de los géneros de los seis objetos citados en la tradición. Sin embargo, no hay un acuerdo general entre las diversas escuelas de Fiqh e incluso los académicos pertenecientes a la misma escuela en la definición e identificación de causa eficiente (illa) de riba. Para los Hanafis, la causa eficiente (illa) de riba tiene dos dimensiones: los artículos intercambiados pertenecen al mismo género (jins), estos poseen peso (wazan) o mensurabilidad (kiliyya). Si en un intercambio dado, ambos elementos de causa eficiente (illa) están presentes, es decir, los contravalores intercambiados pertenecen al mismo género (jins) y son todos pesables o todos medibles, entonces ninguna ganancia es permisible (el tipo de cambio debe Ser igual a la unidad) y el intercambio debe ser sobre una base de punto. En el caso del oro y la plata, los dos elementos de la causa eficiente (illa) son: unidad de género (jins) y peso. Ésta es también la opinión de Hanbali según una versión3. (Una versión diferente es similar a la vista de Shafii y Maliki, como se discute más adelante). Así, cuando el oro se cambia por oro, o la plata se intercambia por plata, sólo las transacciones al contado sin ninguna ganancia son permisibles. También es posible que en un intercambio dado, uno de los dos elementos de la causa eficiente (illa) esté presente y el otro esté ausente. Por ejemplo, si los artículos intercambiados son todos pesables o medibles, pero pertenecen a géneros diferentes (jins) o, si los artículos intercambiados pertenecen al mismo género (jins) pero ninguno es sopesable ni mensurable, intercambie con ganancia (a una tasa diferente de Unidad) es permisible, pero el intercambio debe estar en una base del punto. Por lo tanto, cuando el oro se intercambia por la plata, la tasa puede ser diferente de la unidad, pero no se permite el establecimiento diferido. Si ninguno de los dos elementos de causa eficiente (illa) de riba están presentes en un intercambio dado, entonces ninguno de los mandatos para la prohibición riba se aplica. El canje puede tener lugar con o sin ganancia y ambos en un lugar o diferido. Considerando el caso de intercambio de monedas de papel pertenecientes a diferentes países, la prohibición riba requeriría una búsqueda de causa eficiente (illa). Las monedas pertenecientes a diferentes países son entidades claramente diferenciadas que son moneda de curso legal dentro de límites geográficos específicos con diferente valor intrínseco o poder adquisitivo. Por lo tanto, una gran mayoría de estudiosos acertadamente afirman que no hay unidad de género (jins). Además, no son ni pesables ni medibles. Esto lleva a una conclusión directa de que ninguno de los dos elementos de la causa eficiente (illa) de riba existe en tal intercambio. Por lo tanto, el canje puede tener lugar libre de cualquier prescripción sobre el tipo de cambio y la forma de liquidación. La lógica subyacente a esta posición no es difícil de comprender. El valor intrínseco de las monedas de papel pertenecientes a diferentes países difieren, ya que tienen un poder adquisitivo diferente. Además, el valor intrínseco o el valor de las monedas de papel no puede ser identificado o evaluado a diferencia de oro y plata que puede ser pesado. Por lo tanto, ni la presencia de riba al-fadl (por exceso), ni riba al-nasia (por aplazamiento) puede establecerse. La escuela Shafii de Fiqh considera la causa eficiente (illa) en caso de que el oro y la plata sean su propiedad de ser moneda (thamaniyya) o el medio de intercambio, unidad de cuenta y almacén de valor. Esta es también la vista de Maliki. Según una versión de este punto de vista, incluso si el papel o el cuero se convierte en el medio de intercambio y se le da el estatus de divisa, entonces todas las reglas relativas a naqdain, o oro y plata se les aplican. Así, según esta versión, es permisible el intercambio de monedas de diferentes países a una tasa distinta de la unidad, pero debe ser liquidado sobre una base puntual. Otra versión de las dos escuelas de pensamiento anteriores es que la citada causa eficiente (illa) de la moneda (thamaniyya) es específica del oro y la plata, y no puede generalizarse. Es decir, cualquier otro objeto, si se utiliza como medio de intercambio, no puede ser incluido en su categoría. Por lo tanto, según esta versión, los mandamientos de la Sharia para la prohibición riba no son aplicables a las monedas de papel. Las monedas pertenecientes a diferentes países se pueden intercambiar con o sin ganancia y tanto en forma de pago como de aplazamiento. Los defensores de la versión anterior citan el caso del intercambio de monedas de papel pertenecientes al mismo país en defensa de su versión. La opinión consensuada de los juristas en este caso es que dicho intercambio debe ser sin ganancia o a una tasa igual a la unidad y debe ser liquidado sobre una base spot. Si se considera la Hanafi y la primera versión de la posición Hanbali, entonces, en este caso, sólo una dimensión de la causa eficiente (illa) está presente, es decir, pertenecen al mismo género (jins ). Pero las monedas de papel no son ni pesables ni mensurables. Por lo tanto, la ley de Hanafi permitiría al parecer el intercambio de cantidades diferentes de la misma moneda sobre una base del punto. Del mismo modo, si la causa eficiente de la moneda (thamaniyya) es específica sólo para el oro y la plata, entonces la ley Shafii y Maliki también permitiría lo mismo. Huelga decir que esto equivale a permitir préstamos y préstamos basados ​​en riba. Esto demuestra que es la primera versión del pensamiento de Shafii y Maliki que subyace a la decisión de consenso de prohibición de ganancia y liquidación diferida en caso de cambio de monedas pertenecientes al mismo país. Según los proponentes, extender esta lógica al intercambio de monedas de diferentes países implicaría que el intercambio con ganancia oa una tasa diferente de la unidad es permisible (ya que no hay unidad de jin), pero la liquidación debe ser sobre una base puntual. 2.1.2 Comparación entre Currency Exchange y Bai-Sarf Bai-sarf se define en la literatura Fiqh como un intercambio que implica el thaman haqiqi, definido como oro y plata, que sirvió como principal medio de intercambio para casi todas las transacciones importantes. Los partidarios de la opinión de que cualquier intercambio de monedas de diferentes países son iguales a los bai-sarf sostienen que en la actualidad las monedas de papel han reemplazado eficaz y completamente el oro y la plata como medio de intercambio. Por lo tanto, por analogía, el intercambio que involucra tales monedas debe ser gobernado por las mismas reglas de Sharia y mandamientos como bai-sarf. También se argumenta que si se permite la liquidación diferida por cualquiera de las partes en el contrato, esto abriría las posibilidades de riba-al nasia. Los opositores de la categorización del intercambio de moneda con bai-sarf sin embargo señalan que el intercambio de todas las formas de la moneda (thaman) no se puede llamar bai-sarf. Según este punto de vista, bai-sarf implica el intercambio de monedas de oro y plata (thaman haqiqi o naqdain) y no de dinero pronunciado como tal por las autoridades estatales (thaman istalahi). Las monedas de la era actual son ejemplos de esta última clase. Estos eruditos encuentran apoyo en aquellos escritos que afirman que si las mercancías de intercambio no son oro o plata, (aunque sea una de ellas es oro o plata) entonces, el intercambio no puede ser llamado como bai-sarf. Tampoco las estipulaciones relativas al bai-sarf serían aplicables a tales intercambios. Según el Imam Sarakhsi, cuando un individuo compra falsos o monedas hechas de metales inferiores, como el cobre (thaman istalahi) por dirhams (thaman haqiqi) y hace un pago al contado de este último, pero el vendedor no tiene fals en ese momento , Entonces dicho intercambio es permisible. La toma de posesión de mercancías intercambiadas por ambas partes no es una condición previa (mientras que en el caso de bai-sarf, lo es). Existen varias referencias similares que indican que los juristas no clasifican un intercambio de fals (thaman istalahi) por otro fals Thaman istalahi) o oro o plata (thaman haqiqi), como bai-sarf. Por lo tanto, los intercambios de monedas de dos países diferentes que sólo pueden calificar como thaman istalahi no pueden ser clasificados como bai-sarf. Tampoco puede imponerse la restricción relativa a la liquidación al contado de tales transacciones. Cabe señalar aquí que la definición de bai-sarf se proporciona Fiqh literatura y no hay mención de lo mismo en las tradiciones santas. Las tradiciones mencionan la riba, y la venta y compra de oro y plata (naqdain), que puede ser una fuente importante de riba, es descrita como bai-sarf por los juristas islámicos. También hay que señalar que en la literatura Fiqh, bai-sarf implica el intercambio de oro o plata sólo si se están utilizando actualmente como medio de intercambio o no. Intercambio de dinares y adornos de oro, tanto de calidad como bai-sarf. Varios juristas han tratado de aclarar este punto y han definido el sarf como aquel intercambio en el cual ambas mercancías intercambiadas están en la naturaleza de thaman, no necesariamente thaman ellos mismos. Por lo tanto, incluso cuando una de las mercancías se procesa oro (digamos, adornos), ese intercambio se llama bai-sarf. Los defensores de la opinión de que el cambio de divisas debe ser tratado de una manera similar a bai-sarf también derivan el apoyo de escritos de eminentes juristas islámicos. Según el Imam Ibn Taimiya, cualquier cosa que desempeñe las funciones de medio de intercambio, unidad de cuenta y almacenamiento de valor se llama thaman, (no necesariamente limitada a oro y plata). Referencias similares están disponibles en los escritos del Imam Ghazzali5. En cuanto a las opiniones del Imam Sarakhshi sobre el intercambio de fals, según ellos, hay que tener en cuenta algunos puntos adicionales. En los primeros días del Islam, los dinares y los dirhams hechos de oro y plata se usaban principalmente como medio de intercambio en todas las transacciones importantes. Sólo los menores se asentaron con fals. En otras palabras, fals no poseía las características de dinero o thamaniyya en su totalidad y apenas se usaba como almacén de valor o unidad de cuenta y era más en la naturaleza de la mercancía. Por lo tanto no hubo restricción en la compra de la misma para el oro y la plata sobre una base aplazada. Las monedas actuales tienen todas las características de thaman y están destinadas a ser sólo thaman. El intercambio con monedas de diferentes países es el mismo que bai-sarf con diferencia de jins y por lo tanto, el establecimiento diferido llevaría a riba al-nasia. El Dr. Mohamed Nejatullah Siddiqui ilustra esta posibilidad con un ejemplo6. Escribe en un momento dado cuando la tasa de cambio del mercado entre dólar y rupia es de 1:20, si un individuo compra 50 a la tasa de 1:22 (liquidación de su obligación en rupias aplazada a una fecha futura), entonces Es muy probable que lo sea. De hecho, el endeudamiento Rs. 1000 ahora en lugar de una promesa de reembolsar Rs. 1100 en una fecha posterior especificada. (Puesto que, él puede obtener Rs 1000 ahora, intercambiando los 50 comprados en el crédito en la tarifa al contado). Por lo tanto, sarf se puede convertir en préstamo prestado del préstamo de interés-basado. 2.1.3 Definir Thamaniyya es la clave De la síntesis anterior de puntos de vista alternativos se desprende que la cuestión clave parece ser una definición correcta de thamaniyya. Por ejemplo, una cuestión fundamental que lleva a posiciones divergentes sobre la permisibilidad se refiere a si el thamaniyya es específico del oro y la plata, o puede asociarse con cualquier cosa que desempeñe las funciones del dinero. A continuación se plantean algunas cuestiones que pueden tenerse en cuenta en cualquier ejercicio de reconsideración de posiciones alternativas. Debe apreciarse que el thamaniyya puede no ser absoluto y puede variar en grados. Es cierto que las monedas de papel han reemplazado completamente el oro y la plata como medio de intercambio, unidad de cuenta y almacén de valor. En este sentido, las monedas de papel se puede decir que poseen thamaniyya. Sin embargo, esto es cierto sólo para las monedas nacionales y puede no ser cierto para las monedas extranjeras. En otras palabras, las rupias indias poseen thamaniyya dentro de los límites geográficos de la India solamente, y no tienen ninguna aceptabilidad en los Estados Unidos. Estos no se puede decir que poseen thamaniyya en EE. UU. a menos que un ciudadano de EE. UU. puede utilizar rupias indias como un medio de intercambio, o unidad de cuenta, o almacén de valor. En la mayoría de los casos tal posibilidad es remota. Esta posibilidad es también una función del mecanismo de tipo de cambio vigente, como la convertibilidad de las rupias indias en dólares estadounidenses y si existe un sistema de tipo de cambio fijo o flotante. Por ejemplo, asumiendo la convertibilidad libre de rupias indias en dólares estadounidenses y viceversa, y un sistema de tipo de cambio fijo en el que no se espera que el tipo de cambio rupia-dólar aumente o disminuya en el futuro previsible, . El ejemplo citado por el Dr. Nejatullah Siddiqui también parece bastante sólido en las circunstancias. El permiso para canjear rupias por dólares en base diferida (desde un extremo, por supuesto) a una tasa diferente de la tasa al contado (tasa oficial que es probable que permanezca fija hasta la fecha de liquidación) sería un claro caso de interés basado en Préstamos y préstamos. Sin embargo, si se supone que el supuesto de tipo de cambio fijo es relajado y se asume que el actual sistema de tipos de cambio fluctuantes y volátiles es el caso, entonces se puede demostrar que el caso de riba al-nasia se rompe. Reescribimos su ejemplo: En un momento dado en que la tasa de cambio del mercado entre el dólar y la rupia es 1:20, si un individuo compra 50 a la tasa de 1:22 (liquidación de su obligación en rupias aplazada a una fecha futura ), Entonces es muy probable que lo sea. De hecho, el endeudamiento Rs. 1000 ahora en lugar de una promesa de reembolsar Rs. 1100 en una fecha posterior especificada. (Puesto que, ahora puede obtener Rs 1000, intercambiando los 50 adquiridos a crédito al tipo de cambio al contado). Esto sería así, sólo si el riesgo cambiario es inexistente (el tipo de cambio permanece en 1:20), o es soportado por el vendedor De dólares (el comprador paga en rupias y no en dólares). Si el primero es cierto, entonces el vendedor de los dólares (prestamista) recibe un rendimiento predeterminado de diez por ciento cuando convierte Rs1100 recibido en la fecha de vencimiento en 55 (a un tipo de cambio de 1:20). Sin embargo, si esto último es cierto, entonces el retorno al vendedor (o al prestamista) no está predeterminado. Ni siquiera es positivo. Por ejemplo, si el tipo de cambio rupia-dólar aumenta a 1:25, entonces el vendedor de dólar recibiría sólo 44 (Rs 1100 convertido en dólares) por su inversión de 50. Aquí dos puntos son dignos de mención. En primer lugar, cuando se asume un régimen de tipo de cambio fijo, la distinción entre monedas de diferentes países se diluye. La situación se vuelve similar al intercambio de libras esterlinas (monedas pertenecientes al mismo país) a una tasa fija. En segundo lugar, cuando se asume un sistema de tipo de cambio volátil, entonces, tal como se puede visualizar el préstamo a través del mercado de divisas (mecanismo sugerido en el ejemplo anterior), también se puede visualizar el préstamo a través de cualquier otro mercado organizado (por ejemplo, . En el momento en que el precio de mercado de la acción X es Rs 20, si un individuo compra 50 acciones a razón de Rs 22 (liquidación de Su obligación en rupias aplazada a una fecha futura), entonces es muy probable que lo sea. De hecho, el endeudamiento Rs. 1000 ahora en lugar de una promesa de reembolsar Rs. 1100 en una fecha posterior especificada. En este caso también como en el ejemplo anterior, las devoluciones al vendedor de las acciones pueden ser negativas si el precio de las acciones se eleva a Rs 25 en la liquidación fecha. Por lo tanto, al igual que los rendimientos en el mercado de valores o de materias primas son islámicamente aceptables debido al riesgo de precio, también lo son los rendimientos en el mercado de divisas debido a las fluctuaciones en los precios de las monedas. Una característica única de thaman haqiqi o oro y plata es que el valor intrínseco de la moneda es igual a su valor nominal. Por lo tanto, la cuestión de los diferentes límites geográficos dentro de los cuales circula una moneda determinada, como dinar o dirham, es completamente irrelevante. El oro es oro, ya sea en el país A o en el país B. Así, cuando la divisa del país A de oro se cambia por moneda del país B, también hecha de oro, entonces cualquier desviación del tipo de cambio de la unidad o diferimiento de liquidación por cualquiera de las partes No puede ser permitido ya que implicaría claramente riba al-fadl y también riba al-nasia. Sin embargo, cuando las monedas de papel del país A se intercambian por el papel moneda del país B, el caso puede ser completamente diferente. El riesgo de precio (riesgo de tipo de cambio), si es positivo, eliminaría cualquier posibilidad de riba al-nasia en el canje con liquidación diferida. Sin embargo, si el riesgo de precio (riesgo de tipo de cambio) es cero, dicho intercambio podría ser una fuente de riba al-nasia si se permite la liquidación diferida7. Otro punto que merece una seria consideración es la posibilidad de que ciertas monedas puedan poseer thamaniyya, es decir, utilizado como medio de intercambio, unidad de cuenta o almacén de valor a nivel mundial, tanto dentro como fuera del país. Por ejemplo, el dólar estadounidense es moneda de curso legal dentro de los EE. UU. también es aceptable como medio de intercambio o unidad de cuenta para un gran volumen de transacciones en todo el mundo. Por lo tanto, se puede decir que esta moneda específica posee thamaniyya a nivel mundial, en cuyo caso, los juristas pueden imponer los mandatos pertinentes sobre los intercambios que implican esta moneda específica para prevenir riba al-nasia. El hecho es que cuando una moneda posee thamaniyya globalmente, las unidades económicas que utilizan esta moneda global como medio de cambio, unidad de cuenta o almacén de valor pueden no estar preocupadas por el riesgo derivado de la volatilidad de los tipos de cambio entre países. Al mismo tiempo, debe reconocerse que una gran mayoría de las monedas no desempeñan las funciones de dinero excepto dentro de sus fronteras nacionales cuando éstas son moneda de curso legal. Riba y el riesgo no pueden coexistir en el mismo contrato. El primero conoce una posibilidad de rendimientos con riesgo cero y no puede ganarse a través de un mercado con riesgo de precio positivo. Como se ha discutido anteriormente, la posibilidad de riba al-fadl o riba al-nasia puede surgir a cambio cuando el oro o la plata funcionan como thaman o cuando el intercambio implica monedas de papel pertenecientes al mismo país o cuando el intercambio implica monedas de diferentes países Siguiendo un sistema de tipo de cambio fijo. La última posibilidad es tal vez unísmica8, ya que se debe permitir que el precio o el tipo de cambio de las monedas fluctúen libremente en línea con los cambios en la demanda y la oferta y también porque los precios deben reflejar el valor intrínseco o el poder adquisitivo de las monedas. Los mercados de divisas de hoy se caracterizan por tipos de cambio volátiles. Las ganancias o pérdidas realizadas en cualquier transacción en monedas de diferentes países, se justifican por el riesgo asumido por las partes en el contrato. 2.1.4. Posibilidad de Riba con futuros y forwards Hasta ahora, hemos discutido puntos de vista sobre la permisibilidad de bai salam en divisas, es decir, cuando la obligación de sólo una de las partes en el intercambio se aplazó. ¿Cuáles son las opiniones de los académicos sobre el aplazamiento de las obligaciones de ambas partes. Un ejemplo típico de tales contratos son forwards y futuros9. Según una gran mayoría de estudiosos, esto no es permisible por diversos motivos, siendo el más importante el elemento de riesgo e incertidumbre (gharar) y la posibilidad de especulación de un tipo que no es permisible. Esto se discute en la sección 3. Sin embargo, otro motivo para rechazar tales contratos puede ser riba prohibición. En el párrafo anterior hemos discutido que bai salam en monedas con tipos de cambio fluctuantes no puede ser utilizado para ganar riba debido a la presencia de riesgo de moneda. Es posible demostrar que el riesgo de divisa puede ser cubierto o reducido a cero con otro contrato a término negociado simultáneamente. Y una vez que se elimine el riesgo, la ganancia sería claramente riba. Modificamos y reescribimos el mismo ejemplo: En un momento dado en que la tasa de cambio del mercado entre dólar y rupia es 1:20, una persona compra 50 a la tasa de 1:22 (liquidación de su obligación en rupias aplazada a una Fecha futura), y el vendedor de dólares también cubre su posición mediante la celebración de un contrato a término para vender Rs1100 a recibir en la fecha futura a una tasa de 1:20, entonces es muy probable que lo sea. De hecho, el endeudamiento Rs. 1000 ahora en lugar de una promesa de reembolsar Rs. 1100 en una fecha posterior especificada. El vendedor de los dólares (prestamista) recibe un rendimiento predeterminado de diez por ciento cuando convierte Rs1100 recibidos en la fecha de vencimiento en 55 dólares (al Un tipo de cambio de 1:20) para su inversión de 50 dólares, independientemente del tipo de cambio de mercado vigente en la fecha de vencimiento. Otra forma sencilla de obtener riba puede incluso implicar una transacción al contado y una transacción simultánea hacia adelante. Por ejemplo, el individuo en el ejemplo anterior compra 50 en una base de punto a la tasa de 1:20 y simultáneamente celebra un contrato a término con la misma parte para vender 50 a la tasa de 1:21 después de un mes. En efecto, esto implica que está prestando Rs1000 ahora al vendedor de dólares por un mes y gana un interés de Rs50 (que recibe Rs1050 después de un mes. Esto es un típico de recompra o recompra transacción tan común en la banca convencional .10 3. La cuestión de la libertad de Gharar Gharar, a diferencia de la riba, no tiene una definición de consenso. En términos generales, connota el riesgo y la incertidumbre. Es útil para ver el gharar como un continuo de riesgo e incertidumbre donde el punto extremo de El riesgo cero es el único punto que está bien definido. Además de este punto, gharar se convierte en una variable y el gharar involucrado en un contrato de vida real estaría en algún lugar de este continuum. Más allá de un punto en este continuo, el riesgo y la incertidumbre o gharar se vuelve inaceptable11 . Jurists have attempted to identify such situations involving forbidden gharar. A major factor that contributes to gharar is inadequate information (jahl) which increases uncertainty. This is when the terms of exchange, such as, price, objects of exchange, time of settlement etc . are not well-defined. Gharar is also defined in terms of settlement risk or the uncertainty surrounding delivery of the exchanged articles. Islamic scholars have identified the conditions which make a contract uncertain to the extent that it is forbidden. Each party to the contract must be clear as to the quantity, specification, price, time, and place of delivery of the contract. A contract, say, to sell fish in the river involves uncertainty about the subject of exchange, about its delivery, and hence, not Islamically permissible. The need to eliminate any element of uncertainty inherent in a contract is underscored by a number of traditions.12 An outcome of excessive gharar or uncertainty is that it leads to the possibility of speculation of a variety which is forbidden. Speculation in its worst form, is gambling. The holy Quran and the traditions of the holy prophet explicitly prohibit gains made from games of chance which involve unearned income. The term used for gambling is maisir which literally means getting something too easily, getting a profit without working for it. Apart from pure games of chance, the holy prophet also forbade actions which generated unearned incomes without much productive efforts.13 Here it may be noted that the term speculation has different connotations. It always involves an attempt to predict the future outcome of an event. But the process may or may not be backed by collection, analysis and interpretation of relevant information. The former case is very much in conformity with Islamic rationality. An Islamic economic unit is required to assume risk after making a proper assessment of risk with the help of information. All business decisions involve speculation in this sense. It is only in the absence of information or under conditions of excessive gharar or uncertainty that speculation is akin to a game of chance and is reprehensible. 3.2 Gharar amp Speculation with of Futures amp Forwards Considering the case of the basic exchange contracts highlighted in section 1, it may be noted that the third type of contract where settlement by both the parties is deferred to a future date is forbidden, according to a large majority of jurists on grounds of excessive gharar. Futures and forwards in currencies are examples of such contracts under which two parties become obliged to exchange currencies of two different countries at a known rate at the end of a known time period. For example, individuals A and B commit to exchange US dollars and Indian rupees at the rate of 1: 22 after one month. If the amount involved is 50 and A is the buyer of dollars then, the obligations of A and B are to make a payments of Rs1100 and 50 respectively at the end of one month. The contract is settled when both the parties honour their obligations on the future date. Traditionally, an overwhelming majority of Sharia scholars have disapproved such contracts on several grounds. The prohibition applies to all such contracts where the obligations of both parties are deferred to a future date, including contracts involving exchange of currencies. An important objection is that such a contract involves sale of a non-existent object or of an object not in the possession of the seller. This objection is based on several traditions of the holy prophet.14 There is difference of opinion on whether the prohibition in the said traditions apply to foodstuffs, or perishable commodities or to all objects of sale. There is, however, a general agreement on the view that the efficient cause (illa) of the prohibition of sale of an object which the seller does not own or of sale prior to taking possession is gharar, or the possible failure to deliver the goods purchased. Is this efficient cause (illa) present in an exchange involving future contracts in currencies of different countries. In a market with full and free convertibility or no constraints on the supply of currencies, the probability of failure to deliver the same on the maturity date should be no cause for concern. Further, the standardized nature of futures contracts and transparent operating procedures on the organized futures markets15 is believed to minimize this probability. Some recent scholars have opined in the light of the above that futures, in general, should be permissible. According to them, the efficient cause (illa), that is, the probability of failure to deliver was quite relevant in a simple, primitive and unorganized market. It is no longer relevant in the organized futures markets of today16. Such contention, however, continues to be rejected by the majority of scholars. They underscore the fact that futures contracts almost never involve delivery by both parties. On the contrary, parties to the contract reverse the transaction and the contract is settled in price difference only. For example, in the above example, if the currency exchange rate changes to 1: 23 on the maturity date, the reverse transaction for individual A would mean selling 50 at the rate of 1:23 to individual B. This would imply A making a gain of Rs50 (the difference between Rs1150 and Rs1100). This is exactly what B would lose. It may so happen that the exchange rate would change to 1:21 in which case A would lose Rs50 which is what B would gain. This obviously is a zero-sum game in which the gain of one party is exactly equal to the loss of the other. This possibility of gains or losses (which theoretically can touch infinity) encourages economic units to speculate on the future direction of exchange rates. Since exchange rates fluctuate randomly, gains and losses are random too and the game is reduced to a game of chance. There is a vast body of literature on the forecastability of exchange rates and a large majority of empirical studies have provided supporting evidence on the futility of any attempt to make short-run predictions. Exchange rates are volatile and remain unpredictable at least for the large majority of market participants. Needless to say, any attempt to speculate in the hope of the theoretically infinite gains is, in all likelihood, a game of chance for such participants. While the gains, if they materialize, are in the nature of maisir or unearned gains, the possibility of equally massive losses do indicate a possibility of default by the loser and hence, gharar. 3.3. Risk Management in Volatile Markets Hedging or risk reduction adds to planning and managerial efficiency. The economic justification of futures and forwards is in term of their role as a device for hedging. In the context of currency markets which are characterized by volatile rates, such contracts are believed to enable the parties to transfer and eliminate risk arising out of such fluctuations. For example, modifying the earlier example, assume that individual A is an exporter from India to US who has already sold some commodities to B, the US importer and anticipates a cashflow of 50 (which at the current market rate of 1:22 mean Rs 1100 to him) after one month. There is a possibility that US dollar may depreciate against Indian rupee during these one month, in which case A would realize less amount of rupees for his 50 ( if the new rate is 1:21, A would realize only Rs1050 ). Hence, A may enter into a forward or future contract to sell 50 at the rate of 1:21.5 at the end of one month (and thereby, realize Rs1075) with any counterparty which, in all probability, would have diametrically opposite expectations regarding future direction of exchange rates. In this case, A is able to hedge his position and at the same time, forgoes the opportunity of making a gain if his expectations do not materialize and US dollar appreciates against Indian rupee (say, to 1:23 which implies that he would have realized Rs1150, and not Rs1075 which he would realize now.) While hedging tools always improve planning and hence, performance, it should be noted that the intention of the contracting party whether to hedge or to speculate, can never be ascertained. It may be noted that hedging can also be accomplished with bai salam in currencies. As in the above example, exporter A anticipating a cash inflow of 50 after one month and expecting a depreciation of dollar may go for a salam sale of 50 (with his obligation to pay 50 deferred by one month.) Since he is expecting a dollar depreciation, he may agree to sell 50 at the rate of 1: 21.5. There would be an immediate cash inflow in Rs 1075 for him. The question may be, why should the counterparty pay him rupees now in lieu of a promise to be repaid in dollars after one month. As in the case of futures, the counterparty would do so for profit, if its expectations are diametrically opposite, that is, it expects dollar to appreciate. For example, if dollar appreciates to 1: 23 during the one month period, then it would receive Rs1150 for Rs 1075 it invested in the purchase of 50. Thus, while A is able to hedge its position, the counterparty is able to earn a profit on trading of currencies. The difference from the earlier scenario is that the counterparty would be more restrained in trading because of the investment required, and such trading is unlikely to take the shape of rampant speculation. 4. Summary amp Conclusion Currency markets of today are characterized by volatile exchange rates. This fact should be taken note of in any analysis of the three basic types of contracts in which the basis of distinction is the possibility of deferment of obligations to future. We have attempted an assessment of these forms of contracting in terms of the overwhelming need to eliminate any possibility of riba, minimize gharar, jahl and the possibility of speculation of a kind akin to games of chance. In a volatile market, the participants are exposed to currency risk and Islamic rationality requires that such risk should be minimized in the interest of efficiency if not reduced to zero. It is obvious that spot settlement of the obligations of both parties would completely prohibit riba, and gharar, and minimize the possibility of speculation. However, this would also imply the absence of any technique of risk management and may involve some practical problems for the participants. At the other extreme, if the obligations of both the parties are deferred to a future date, then such contracting, in all likelihood, would open up the possibility of infinite unearned gains and losses from what may be rightly termed for the majority of participants as games of chance. Of course, these would also enable the participants to manage risk through complete risk transfer to others and reduce risk to zero. It is this possibility of risk reduction to zero which may enable a participant to earn riba. Future is not a new form of contract. Rather the justification for proscribing it is new. If in a simple primitive economy, it was prevention of gharar relating to delivery of the exchanged article, in todays complex financial system and organized exchanges, it is prevention of speculation of kind which is unIslamic and which is possible under excessive gharar involved in forecasting highly volatile exchange rates. Such speculation is not just a possibility, but a reality. The precise motive of an economic unit entering into a future contract speculation or hedging may not ascertainable ( regulators may monitor end use, but such regulation may not be very practical, nor effective in a free market). Empirical evidence at a macro level, however, indicates the former to be the dominant motive. The second type of contracting with deferment of obligations of one of the parties to a future date falls between the two extremes. While Sharia scholars have divergent views about its permissibility, our analysis reveals that there is no possibility of earning riba with this kind of contracting. The requirement of spot settlement of obligations of atleast one party imposes a natural curb on speculation, though the room for speculation is greater than under the first form of contracting. The requirement amounts to imposition of a hundred percent margin which, in all probability, would drive away the uninformed speculator from the market. This should force the speculator to be a little more sure of his expectations by being more informed. When speculation is based on information it is not only permissible, but desirable too. Bai salam would also enable the participants to manage risk. At the same time, the requirement of settlement from one end would dampen the tendency of many participants to seek a complete transfer of perceived risk and encourage them to make a realistic assessment of the actual risk. Notes amp References 1. These diverse views are reflected in the papers presented at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar organized by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, India in 1991 which were subsequently published in Majalla Fiqh Islami, part 4 by the Academy. The discussion on riba prohibition draws on these views. 2. Nabil Saleh, Unlawful gain and Legitimate Profit in Islamic Law, Graham and Trotman, London, 1992, p.16 3. Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni, vol.4, pp.5-9 4. Shams al Din al Sarakhsi, al-Mabsut, vol 14, pp 24-25 5. Paper presented by Abdul Azim Islahi at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar organized by Islamic Fiqh Academy, India in 1991. 6. Paper by Dr M N Siddiqui highlighting the issue was circulated among all leading Fiqh scholars by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, India for their views and was the main theme of deliberations during the session on Currency Exchange at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar held in 1991. 7. It is contended by some that the above example may be modified to show the possibility of riba with spot settlement too. In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, if an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation also on a spot basis), then it amounts to the seller of dollars exchanging 50 with 55 on a spot basis (Since, he can obtain Rs 1100 now, exchange them for 55 at spot rate of 1:20) Thus, spot settlement can also be a clear source of riba. Does this imply that spot settlement should be proscribed too. The fallacy in the above and earlier examples is that there is no single contract but multiple contracts of exchange occurring at different points in time (true even in the above case). Riba can be earned only when the spot rate of 1:20 is fixed during the time interval between the transactions. This assumption is, needless to say, unrealistic and if imposed artificially, perhaps unIslamic. 8. Islam envisages a free market where prices are determined by forces of demand and supply. There should be no interference in the price formation process even by the regulators. While price control and fixation is generally accepted as unIslamic, some scholars, such as, Ibn Taimiya do admit of its permissibility. However, such permissibility is subject to the condition that price fixation is intended to combat cases of market anomalies caused by impairing the conditions of free competition. If market conditions are normal, forces of demand and supply should be allowed a free play in determination of prices. 9. Some Islamic scholars use the term forward to connote a salam sale. However, we use this term in the conventional sense where the obligations of both parties are deferred to a future date and hence, are similar to futures in this sense. The latter however, are standardized contracts and are traded on an organized Futures Exchange while the former are specific to the requirements of the buyer and seller. 10. This is known as bai al inah which is considered forbidden by almost all scholars with the exception of Imam Shafii. Followers of the same school, such as Al Nawawi do not consider it Islamically permissible. 11. It should be noted that modern finance theories also distinguish between conditions of risk and uncertainty and assert that rational decision making is possible only under conditions of risk and not under conditions of uncertainty. Conditions of risk refer to a situation where it is possible with the help of available data to estimate all possible outcomes and their corresponding probabilities, or develop the ex-ante probability distribution. Under conditions of uncertainty, no such exercise is possible. The definition of gharar, Real-life situations, of course, fall somewhere in the continuum of risk and uncertainty. 12. The following traditions underscore the need to avoid contracts involving uncertainty. Ibn Abbas reported that when Allahs prophet (pbuh) came to Medina, they were paying one and two years advance for fruits, so he said: Those who pay in advance for any thing must do so for a specified weight and for a definite time. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) forbade the transaction called habal al-habala whereby a man bought a she-camel which was to be the off-spring of a she-camel and which was still in its mothers womb. 13. According to a tradition reported by Abu Huraira, Allahs Messenger (pbuh) forbade a transaction determined by throwing stones, and the type which involves some uncertainty. The form of gambling most popular to Arabs was gambling by casting lots by means of arrows, on the principle of lottery, for division of carcass of slaughtered animals. The carcass was divided into unequal parts and marked arrows were drawn from a bag. One received a large or small share depending on the mark on the arrow drawn. Obviously it was a pure game of chance. 14. The holy prophet is reported to have said Do not sell what is not with you Ibn Abbas reported that the prophet said: He who buys foodstuff should not sell it until he has taken possession of it. Ibn Abbas said: I think it applies to all other things as well. 15. The Futures Exchange performs an important function of providing a guarantee for delivery by all parties to the contract. It serves as the counterparty in the exchange for both, that is, as the buyer for the sale and as the seller for the purchase. 16. M Hashim Kamali Islamic Commercial Law: An Analysis of Futures, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol.13, no.2, 1996 Dalam bukunya Prof. Drs. Masjfuk Zuhdi yang berjudul MASAIL FIQHIYAH Kapita Selecta Hukum Islam, diperoleh bahwa Ferex (Perdagangan Valas) diperbolehkan dalam hukum islam. Perdagangan valuta asing timbul karena adanya perdagangan barang-barang kebutuhan / komoditi antar negara yang bersifat internasional. Perdagangan (Ekspor-Impor) ini tentu memerlukan ALAT bayar yaitu Uang yang-Masing Masing negara mempunyai ketentuan sendiri dan berbeda satu sama lainnya sesuai dengan penawaran dan permintaan diantara negara-negara tersebut sehingga en relieve PERBANDINGAN Nilai MATA Uang antar negara. Perbandingan nilai mata uang antar negara terkumpul dalam suatu BURSA atau PASAR yang bersifat internasional dan terikat dalam suatu kesepakatan bersama yang saling menguntungkan. Nilai mata uang suatu negara dengan negara lainnya ini berubah (berluktuasi) setiap saat sesuai volumen permintaan dan penawarannya. Adanya permintaan dan penawil inilah yang menimbulkan transaksi mata uang. Yang secara nyata hanyalah tukar-menukar mata uang yang berbeda nilai. HUKUM ISLAM dalam TRANSAKSI VALAS 1. Ada Ijab-Qobul: 8212gt Ada perjanjian untuk memberi dan menerima Penjual menyerahkan barang dan pembeli membayar tunai. Ijab-Qobulnya dilakukan dengan lisan, tulisan dan utusan. Pembeli dan penjual mempunyai wewenang penuh melaksanakan dan melakukan tindakan-tindakan hukum (dewasa dan berpikiran sehat) 2. Memenuhi syarat menjadi objek transaksi jual-beli yaitu: Suci barangnya (bukan najis) Dapat dimanfaatkan Dapat diserahterimakan Jelas barang dan harganya Dijual (dibeli) oleh pemiliknya sendiri atau kuasanya atas izin pemiliknya Barang sudah berada ditangannya jika barangnya diperoleh dengan imbalan. Perlu ditambahkan pendapat Muhammad Isa, bahwa jual beli salam itu diperbolehkan dalam agama. 8220Jangan kamu membeli el aire de la mano, karena sesungguhnya jual beli yang demikian itu mengandung penipuan8221. (Hadis Ahmad bin Hambal dan Al Baihaqi dari Ibnu Mas8217ud) Jual beli barang yang tidak di tempat transaksi diperbolehkan dengan syarat harus diterangkán sifat-sifatnya atau ciri-cirinya. Kemudiano jika barang sesuai dengan keterangán penjual, maka sahlah jual belinya. Tetapi jika tidak sesuai maka pembeli mempunyai hak khiyar . artinya boleh meneruskan atau membatalkan jual belinya. Hal ini sesuai dengan hadis Nabi riwayat Al Daraquthni dari Abu Hurairah: 8220Barang siapa yang membeli sesuatu yang ia tidak melihatnya, maka ia berhak khiyar jika ia telah melihatnya8221. Jual beli hasil tanam yang terpendam masih, ketela seperti, kentang, Bawang dan sebagainya juga diperbolehkan, asal diberi contohnya, karena Akan mengalami kesulitan atau kerugian jika Harus mengeluarkan semua hasil tanaman yang terpendam Untuk dijual. Hal ini sesuai dengan kaidah hukum Islam: Kesulitan itu menarik kemudahan. Demikian juga jual beli barang-barang yang telah terbungkus / tertutup, seperti makanan kalengan, LPG, sebagainya dan, asalkam diberi etiqueta yang menerangkan isinya. Vide Sabiq, op. Cit. Hal 135. Mengenai teks kaidah hukum Islam tersebut di atas, vide Al Suyuthi, Al-Asbah al-Nadzair, Mesir, Mustafa Muhammad, 1936 hal. 55. JUAL BELI VALUTA QUE ASA DAN SAHAM Yang dimaksud dengan el valor adalah mata uang luar negeri seperi dolar Amerika, libra esterlina Inggris, ringgit Malasia dan sebagainya. Apabila antara negara terjadi perdagangan internasional maka tiap negara membutuhkan valuta asing untuk alat bayar luar negeri yang dalam dunia perdagangan disebut devisa. Misalnya eksportir Indonesia akan memperoleh idee dari hasil ekspornya, sebaliknya importir Indonesia memerlukan devisa untuk mengimpor dari luar negeri. Dengan demikian akan timbul península perminataan di bursa valuta asing. Setiap, negara, berwenang, penuh, menetapkan, kurs, masing-masing (kurs adalah, perbandingan, nilai uangnya, terhadap, mata uang asing) Misalnya 1 dolar Amerika Rp. 12.000. Namun kurs uang atau perbandingan nilai tukar setiap saat bisa berubah-ubah, tergantung pada kekuatan ekonomi negara masing-masing. Pencatatan kurs uang dan transaksi jual beli valuta asing diselenggarakan di Bursa Valuta Asing (A. W. J. Tupanno, et. al. Ekonomi dan Koperasi, Jakarta, Depdikbud 1982, hal 76-77) Like this:Forex menurut Hukum Islam Banyak perbedaan pendapat tentang forex itu sendiri, ada yang mengatakan tidak boleh, tetapi ada juga yang mengatakan boleh. Dibawah ini adalah pendapat yang membolehkan dari beberapa sumber tentang forex itu sendiri (sedang untuk yang tidak membolehkan forex itu sendiri, silahkan search di Google). Fit4global. wordpress hanya memberi wacana, dan hanya fokus ke riset ilmiah tentang pergerakan forex. Fit4global. wordpress memang didedikasikan untuk meriset secara logika dan ilmiah tentang pergerakan forex baik teknikal maupun fundamental. Sebagian umat Islam ada yang meragukan kehalalan praktik perdagangan berjangka. Bagaimana menurut padangan para pakar Islam Apa pendapat para ulama mengenai comercio forex, comercio saham, índice de comercio, saham, dan komoditi Apakah Hukum Forex Trading Valas Halal Menurut Hukum Islam Mari kita ikuti selengkapnya. Jangan engkau menjual sesuatu yang tidak ada padamu, sabda Nabi Muhammad SAW, dalam sebuah hadits riwayat Abu Hurairah. Oleh sementara fuqaha (ahli fiqih Islam), hadits tersebut ditafsirkan secara saklek. Pokoknya, setiap praktik jual beli yang tidak ada barangnya pada waktu akad, haram. Penafsiran secara demikian itu, tak pelak lagi, membuat fiqih Islam sulit untuk memenuhi tuntutan jaman yang terus berkembang dengan perubahan-perubahannya. Karena itu, sejumlah ulama klasik yang terkenal dengan pemikiran cemerlangnya, menentang cara penafsiran yang terkesan sempit tersebut. Misalnya, Ibn al-Qayyim. Ulama bermazhab Hambali ini berpendapat, bahwa tidak benar jual-beli barang yang tidak ada dilarang. Baik dalam Al Corán, sunnah maupun fatwa para sahabat, larangan itu tidak ada. Dalam Sunnah Nabi, hanya terdapat larangan menjual barang yang belum ada, sebagaimana larangan beberapa barang yang sudah ada pada waktu akad. Causa legis atau ilat larangan tersebut bukan ada atau tidak adanya barang, melainkan garar, ujar El Dr. Syamsul Anwar, MA dari IAIN Suka Yogyakarta menjelaskan pendapat Ibn al-Qayyim. Garar adalah ketidakpastian tentang apaká barang yang diperjual-belikan itu dapat diserahkan atau tidak. Misalnya, seseorang menjual unta yang hilang. Atau menjual barang milik orang lain, padahal tidak diberi kewenangan oleh yang bersangkutan. Jadi, meskipun pada waktu akad barangnya tidak ada, namun ada kepastian diadakan pada waktu diperlukan sehingga bisa diserahkan kepada pembeli, maka jual beli tersebut sah. Sebaliknya, kendati barangnya sudah ada tapi karena satu dan lain hal tidak mungkin diserahkan kepada pembeli, maka jual beli itu tidak sah. Perdagangan berjangka, jelas, bukan garar. Sebab, dalam kontrak berjangkanya, jenis komoditi yang dijual-belikan sudah ditentukan. Begitu juga dengan jumlah, mutu, tempat dan waktu penyerahannya. Semuanya berjalan di atas rel atur resmi yang ketat, sebagai antisipasi terjadinya praktek penyimpangan berupa penipuan satu hal yang sebetulnya bisa juga terjadi pada praktik jua-beli konvensional. Dalam perspektif hukum Islam, Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi (PBK) (foral adalah bagian dari PBK) dapat dimasukkan dalam kategori almasail almuashirah atau masala-masala hukum Islam kontemporer. Karena itu, estado hukumnya dapat dikategorikan kepada masalah ijtihadiyyah. Klasifikasi ijtihadiyyah masuk ke dalam wilayah fi ma la nasha fih, yakni masala hukum yang tidak mempunyai referensi nash hukum yang pasti. Dalam kategori masala hukum al-Sahrastani, es decir, dalam paradigma al-nushush qad intahat wa al-waqaI la tatanahi. Artinya, nash hukum dalam bentuk Al-Quran dan Sunnah sudah selesai tidak lagi ada tambahan. Dengan demikian, kasus-kasus hukum, yang baru, muncul, mesti, diberikan, kepastian, hukumnya, melalui, ijtihad. Dalam kasus hukum PBK, ijtihad dapat merujuk kepada teori perubahan hukum yang diperkenalkan oleh Ibn Qoyyim al-Jauziyyah. Ia menjelaskan, fatwa hukum dapat berubah karena beberapa variabel perubahnya, yakni: waktu, tempat, niat, tujuan dan manfaat. Teori perubahan hukum eni diturunkan dari paradigma ilmu hukum dari gurunya Ibn Taimiyyah, yang menyatakan bahwa a-haqiqah fi al-ayan la fi al-adzhan. Artinya, kebenaran hukum itu dijumpai dalam kenyataan empirik bukan dalam alam pemikiran idea de atau alam. Paradigma ini diturunkan dari prinsip hukum islam tentang keadilan yang dalam Al Quran digunakan istilah al-mizan, al-qisth, al-wasth, al-adl. Dalam penerapannya, secara khusus masala PBK dapat dimasukkán ke dalam bidang kaji fiqh al-siyasah maliyyah, yakni politik hukum kebendaan. Dengan kata lain, PBK termasuk kajian hukum islam dalam pengertian bagaimana hukum islam diterapkan dalam masalah kepemilikan atas harta benda, melalui perdagangan berjangka komoditi dalam era globalistasi dan perdagangan bebas. Realisasi yang palidez mungkin dentro rangka melindungi pelaku dan pihak-yang pihak terlibat dentro Perdagangan Berjangka komoditi dentro ruang dan waktu Serta Pertimbangan tujuan dan manfaatnya dewasa ini, sejalan dengan semangat dan Bunyi UU Nº 32/1977 tentang PBK. Karena teori Perubahan hukum seperti dijelaskan di atas, de Dapat menunjukkan elastisitas hukum Islam dentro de kelembagaan dan praktek perekonomian, maka PBK dentro de un sistem hukum Islam de Dapat dianalogikan dengan bahía biajil al-salamajl. Bahía al-salam dapat diartikan sebagai berikut. Al-salam atau al-salaf adalah bay ajl biajil, yakni memperjualbelikan sesuatu yang dengan ketentuan sifat-sifatnya yang terjamin kebenarannya. Di dalam transaksi demikian, penyerahan ras al-mal dalam bentuk uang sebagai nilai tukar didahulukan daripada penyerahan komoditi yang dimaksud dalam transaksi itu. ditangguhkan Akad atas komoditas jual beli yang diberi sifat terjamin yang (Berjangka) dengan Gama jual yang ditetapkan di dentro de la bursa akad: Ulama Syafiiyah dan Hanabilah mendefinisikannya dengan. Keabsahan transaksi jual beli Berjangka, ditentukan oleh terpenuhinya rukun dan syarat sebagai berikut: a) Rukun sebagai utama unsur-unsur yang Harus ada dentro Suatu peristiwa transaksi Unsur-unsur utama di dentro de la bahía al-Salam adalah: Pihak-pihak pelaku transaksi (aqid) Yang disebut dengan istilah musulmanes atau musulmanes ilaih. Objek transaksi (maqud alaih), yaitu barang-barang komoditi berjangka y harga tukar (ras al-mal al-salam al-muslim fih). Kalimat transaksi (Sighat aqad), yaitu ijab dan kabul. Yang perlu diperhatikan dari unsur-unsur tersebut, adalah bahwa ijab dan qabul dinyatakan dalam bahasa dan kalimat yang jelas menunjukkan transaksi berjangka. Karena UIT, ulemas Syafiiyah menekankan penggunaan istilah al-Salam al-salaf atau di dentro kalimat-kalimat transaksi UIT, dengan alasan bahwa aqd al-Salam al-adalah bahía madum dengan sifat dan Cara berbeda dari akad jual dan beli (compra). Persyaratan menyangkut objek transaksi, adalah: bahwa objek transaksi harus memenuhi kejelasan mengenai: jenisnya (an yakun fi jinsin malumin), sifatnya, ukuran (kadar), jangka penyerahan, harga tukar, tempat penyerahan. Persyaratan yang harus dipenuhi oleh harga tukar (al-tsaman), adalá, Pertama, kejelasan jenis alat tukar, yaitu dirham, dinar, rupia atau dolar dsb atau barang-barang yang dapat ditimbang, disukat, dsb. Kedua, kejelasan jenis alat tukar apakah rupia, dolar Amerika, dolar Singapura, dst. Apakah timbangan yang disepakati dalam bentuk kilogramo, estanque, dst. Kejelasan tentang kualitas objek transaksi, apakah kualitas istimewa, baik sedang atau buruk. Syarat-syarat di atas ditetapkán dengan maksud menghilangkan jahalah fi al-aqd atau alasan ketidaktahu kondisi-kondisi barang pada saat transaksi. Sebab hal ini akan mengakibatkan terjadinya perselisán di antara pelaku transaksi, yang akan merusak nilai transaksi. Kejelasan jumlah harga tukar. Penjelasan singkat di atas nampaknya telah dapat miembro kejelasan kebolehan PBK. Kalaupun dentro pelaksanaannya masih ada pihak-yang pihak MERASA dirugikan dengan Peraturan perundang-yang Undangan ada, maka dapatlah digunakan kaidah hukum atau máxima legal yang berbunyi: MA La yudrak kulluh la yutrak kulluh. Apa yang tidak dapat dilaksanakan semuanya, tidak del maka perlu ditinggalkan keseluruhannya. Dengan demikian, hukum dan pelaksanaan PBK sampai batas-batas tertentu boleh dinyatakan dapat diterima atau setidak-tidaknya sesuai dengan semangat dan jiwa norma hukum Islam, dengan menganalogikan kepada bay al-salam. 1. The Basic Exchange Contracts There is a general consensus among Islamic jurists on the view that currencies of different countries can be exchanged on a spot basis at a rate different from unity, since currencies of different countries are distinct entities with different values or intrinsic worth, and purchasing power. There also seems to be a general agreement among a majority of scholars on the view that currency exchange on a forward basis is not permissible, that is, when the rights and obligations of both parties relate to a future date. However, there is considerable difference of opinion among jurists when the rights of either one of the parties, which is same as obligation of the counterparty, is deferred to a future date. To elaborate, let us consider the example of two individuals A and B who belong to two different countries, India and US respectively. A intends to sell Indian rupees and buy U. S dollars. The converse is true for B. The rupee-dollar exchange rate agreed upon is 1:20 and the transaction involves buying and selling of 50. The first situation is that A makes a spot payment of Rs1000 to B and accepts payment of 50 from B. The transaction is settled on a spot basis from both ends. Such transactions are valid and Islamically permissible. There are no two opinions about the same. The second possibility is that settlement of the transaction from both ends is deferred to a future date, say after six months from now. This implies that both A and B would make and accept payment of Rs1000 or 50, as the case may be, after six months. The predominant view is that such a contract is not Islamically permissible. A minority view considers it permissible. The third scenario is that the transaction is partly settled from one end only. For example, A makes a payment of Rs1000 now to B in lieu of a promise by B to pay 50 to him after six months. Alternatively, A accepts 50 now from B and promises to pay Rs1000 to him after six months. There are diametrically opposite views on the permissibility of such contracts which amount to bai-salam in currencies. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive analysis of various arguments in support and against the permissibility of these basic contracts involving currencies. The first form of contracting involving exchange of countervalues on a spot basis is beyond any kind of controversy. Permissibility or otherwise of the second type of contract in which delivery of one of the countervalues is deferred to a future date, is generally discussed in the framework of riba prohibition. Accordingly we discuss this contract in detail in section 2 dealing with the issue of prohibition of riba. Permissibility of the third form of contract in which delivery of both the countervalues is deferred, is generally discussed within the framework of reducing risk and uncertainty or gharar involved in such contracts. This, therefore, is the central theme of section 3 which deals with the issue of gharar. Section 4 attempts a holistic view of the Sharia relates issues as also the economic significance of the basic forms of contracting in the currency market. 2. The Issue of Riba Prohibition The divergence of views1 on the permissibility or otherwise of exchange contracts in currencies can be traced primarily to the issue of riba prohibition. The need to eliminate riba in all forms of exchange contracts is of utmost importance. Riba in its Sharia context is generally defined2 as an unlawful gain derived from the quantitative inequality of the countervalues in any transaction purporting to effect the exchange of two or more species (anwa), which belong to the same genus (jins) and are governed by the same efficient cause (illa). Riba is generally classified into riba al-fadl (excess) and riba al-nasia (deferment) which denote an unlawful advantage by way of excess or deferment respectively. Prohibition of the former is achieved by a stipulation that the rate of exchange between the objects is unity and no gain is permissible to either party. The latter kind of riba is prohibited by disallowing deferred settlement and ensuring that the transaction is settled on the spot by both the parties. Another form of riba is called riba al-jahiliyya or pre-Islamic riba which surfaces when the lender asks the borrower on the maturity date if the latter would settle the debt or increase the same. Increase is accompanied by charging interest on the amount initially borrowed. The prohibition of riba in the exchange of currencies belonging to different countries requires a process of analogy (qiyas). And in any such exercise involving analogy (qiyas), efficient cause (illa) plays an extremely important role. It is a common efficient cause (illa), which connects the object of the analogy with its subject, in the exercise of analogical reasoning. The appropriate efficient cause (illa) in case of exchange contracts has been variously defined by the major schools of Fiqh. This difference is reflected in the analogous reasoning for paper currencies belonging to different countries. A question of considerable significance in the process of analogous reasoning relates to the comparison between paper currencies with gold and silver. In the early days of Islam, gold and silver performed all the functions of money (thaman). Currencies were made of gold and silver with a known intrinsic value (quantum of gold or silver contained in them). Such currencies are described as thaman haqiqi, or naqdain in Fiqh literature. These were universally acceptable as principal means of exchange, accounting for a large chunk of transactions. Many other commodities, such as, various inferior metals also served as means of exchange, but with limited acceptability. These are described as fals in Fiqh literature. These are also known as thaman istalahi because of the fact that their acceptability stems not from their intrinsic worth, but due to the status accorded by the society during a particular period of time. The above two forms of currencies have been treated very differently by early Islamic jurists from the standpoint of permissibility of contracts involving them. The issue that needs to be resolved is whether the present age paper currencies fall under the former category or the latter. One view is that these should be treated at par with thaman haqiqi or gold and silver, since these serve as the principal means of exchange and unit of account like the latter. Hence, by analogous reasoning, all the Sharia-related norms and injunctions applicable to thaman haqiqi should also be applicable to paper currency. Exchange of thaman haqiqi is known as bai-sarf, and hence, the transactions in paper currencies should be governed by the Sharia rules relevant for bai-sarf. The contrary view asserts that paper currencies should be treated in a manner similar to fals or thaman istalahi because of the fact that their face value is different from their intrinsic worth. Their acceptability stems from their legal status within the domestic country or global economic importance (as in case of US dollars, for instance). 2.1. A Synthesis of Alternative Views 2.1.1. Analogical Reasoning (Qiyas) for Riba Prohibition The prohibition of riba is based on the tradition that the holy prophet (peace be upon him) said, Sell gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, date for date, salt for salt, in same quantities on the spot and when the commodities are different, sell as it suits you, but on the spot. Thus, the prohibition of riba applies primarily to the two precious metals (gold and silver) and four other commodities (wheat, barley, dates and salt). It also applies, by analogy (qiyas) to all species which are governed by the same efficient cause (illa) or which belong to any one of the genera of the six objects cited in the tradition. However, there is no general agreement among the various schools of Fiqh and even scholars belonging to the same school on the definition and identification of efficient cause (illa) of riba. For the Hanafis, efficient cause (illa) of riba has two dimensions: the exchanged articles belong to the same genus (jins) these possess weight (wazan) or measurability (kiliyya). If in a given exchange, both the elements of efficient cause (illa) are present, that is, the exchanged countervalues belong to the same genus (jins) and are all weighable or all measurable, then no gain is permissible (the exchange rate must be equal to unity) and the exchange must be on a spot basis. In case of gold and silver, the two elements of efficient cause (illa) are: unity of genus (jins) and weighability. This is also the Hanbali view according to one version3. (A different version is similar to the Shafii and Maliki view, as discussed below.) Thus, when gold is exchanged for gold, or silver is exchanged for silver, only spot transactions without any gain are permissible. It is also possible that in a given exchange, one of the two elements of efficient cause (illa) is present and the other is absent. For example, if the exchanged articles are all weighable or measurable but belong to different genus (jins) or, if the exchanged articles belong to same genus (jins) but neither is weighable nor measurable, then exchange with gain (at a rate different from unity) is permissible, but the exchange must be on a spot basis. Thus, when gold is exchanged for silver, the rate can be different from unity but no deferred settlement is permissible. If none of the two elements of efficient cause (illa) of riba are present in a given exchange, then none of the injunctions for riba prohibition apply. Exchange can take place with or without gain and both on a spot or deferred basis. Considering the case of exchange involving paper currencies belonging to different countries, riba prohibition would require a search for efficient cause (illa). Currencies belonging to different countries are clearly distinct entities these are legal tender within specific geographical boundaries with different intrinsic worth or purchasing power. Hence, a large majority of scholars perhaps rightly assert that there is no unity of genus (jins). Additionally, these are neither weighable nor measurable. This leads to a direct conclusion that none of the two elements of efficient cause (illa) of riba exist in such exchange. Hence, the exchange can take place free from any injunction regarding the rate of exchange and the manner of settlement. The logic underlying this position is not difficult to comprehend. The intrinsic worth of paper currencies belonging to different countries differ as these have different purchasing power. Additionally, the intrinsic value or worth of paper currencies cannot be identified or assessed unlike gold and silver which can be weighed. Hence, neither the presence of riba al-fadl (by excess), nor riba al-nasia (by deferment) can be established. The Shafii school of Fiqh considers the efficient cause (illa) in case of gold and silver to be their property of being currency (thamaniyya) or the medium of exchange, unit of account and store of value. This is also the Maliki view. According to one version of this view, even if paper or leather is made the medium of exchange and is given the status of currency, then all the rules pertaining to naqdain, or gold and silver apply to them. Thus, according to this version, exchange involving currencies of different countries at a rate different from unity is permissible, but must be settled on a spot basis. Another version of the above two schools of thought is that the above cited efficient cause (illa) of being currency (thamaniyya) is specific to gold and silver, and cannot be generalized. That is, any other object, if used as a medium of exchange, cannot be included in their category. Hence, according to this version, the Sharia injunctions for riba prohibition are not applicable to paper currencies. Currencies belonging to different countries can be exchanged with or without gain and both on a spot or deferred basis. Proponents of the earlier version cite the case of exchange of paper currencies belonging to the same country in defense of their version. The consensus opinion of jurists in this case is that such exchange must be without any gain or at a rate equal to unity and must be settled on a spot basis. What is the rationale underlying the above decision If one considers the Hanafi and the first version of Hanbali position then, in this case, only one dimension of the efficient cause (illa) is present, that is, they belong to the same genus (jins). But paper currencies are neither weighable nor measurable. Hence, Hanafi law would apparently permit exchange of different quantities of the same currency on a spot basis. Similarly if the efficient cause of being currency (thamaniyya) is specific only to gold and silver, then Shafii and Maliki law would also permit the same. Needless to say, this amounts to permitting riba-based borrowing and lending. This shows that, it is the first version of the Shafii and Maliki thought which underlies the consensus decision of prohibition of gain and deferred settlement in case of exchange of currencies belonging to the same country. According to the proponents, extending this logic to exchange of currencies of different countries would imply that exchange with gain or at a rate different from unity is permissible (since there no unity of jins), but settlement must be on a spot basis. 2.1.2 Comparison between Currency Exchange and Bai-Sarf Bai-sarf is defined in Fiqh literature as an exchange involving thaman haqiqi, defined as gold and silver, which served as the principal medium of exchange for almost all major transactions. Proponents of the view that any exchange of currencies of different countries is same as bai-sarf argue that in the present age paper currencies have effectively and completely replaced gold and silver as the medium of exchange. Hence, by analogy, exchange involving such currencies should be governed by the same Sharia rules and injunctions as bai-sarf. It is also argued that if deferred settlement by either parties to the contract is permitted, this would open the possibilities of riba-al nasia. Opponents of categorization of currency exchange with bai-sarf however point out that the exchange of all forms of currency (thaman) cannot be termed as bai-sarf. According to this view bai-sarf implies exchange of currencies made of gold and silver (thaman haqiqi or naqdain) alone and not of money pronounced as such by the state authorities (thaman istalahi). The present age currencies are examples of the latter kind. These scholars find support in those writings which assert that if the commodities of exchange are not gold or silver, (even if one of these is gold or silver) then, the exchange cannot be termed as bai-sarf. Nor would the stipulations regarding bai-sarf be applicable to such exchanges. According to Imam Sarakhsi4 when an individual purchases fals or coins made out of inferior metals, such as, copper (thaman istalahi) for dirhams (thaman haqiqi) and makes a spot payment of the latter, but the seller does not have fals at that moment, then such exchange is permissible. taking possession of commodities exchanged by both parties is not a precondition (while in case of bai-sarf, it is.) A number of similar references exist which indicate that jurists do not classify an exchange of fals (thaman istalahi) for another fals (thaman istalahi) or gold or silver (thaman haqiqi), as bai-sarf. Hence, the exchanges of currencies of two different countries which can only qualify as thaman istalahi can not be categorized as bai-sarf. Nor can the constraint regarding spot settlement be imposed on such transactions. It should be noted here that the definition of bai-sarf is provided Fiqh literature and there is no mention of the same in the holy traditions. The traditions mention about riba, and the sale and purchase of gold and silver (naqdain) which may be a major source of riba, is described as bai-sarf by the Islamic jurists. It should also be noted that in Fiqh literature, bai-sarf implies exchange of gold or silver only whether these are currently being used as medium of exchange or not. Exchange involving dinars and gold ornaments, both quality as bai-sarf. Various jurists have sought to clarify this point and have defined sarf as that exchange in which both the commodities exchanged are in the nature of thaman, not necessarily thaman themselves. Hence, even when one of the commodities is processed gold (say, ornaments), such exchange is called bai-sarf. Proponents of the view that currency exchange should be treated in a manner similar to bai-sarf also derive support from writings of eminent Islamic jurists. According to Imam Ibn Taimiya anything that performs the functions of medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value is called thaman, (not necessarily limited to gold amp silver). Similar references are available in the writings of Imam Ghazzali5 As far as the views of Imam Sarakhshi is concerned regarding exchange involving fals, according to them, some additional points need to be taken note of. In the early days of Islam, dinars and dirhams made of gold and silver were mostly used as medium of exchange in all major transactions. Only the minor ones were settled with fals. In other words, fals did not possess the characteristics of money or thamaniyya in full and was hardly used as store of value or unit of account and was more in the nature of commodity. Hence there was no restriction on purchase of the same for gold and silver on a deferred basis. The present day currencies have all the features of thaman and are meant to be thaman only. The exchange involving currencies of different countries is same as bai-sarf with difference of jins and hence, deferred settlement would lead to riba al-nasia. Dr Mohamed Nejatullah Siddiqui illustrates this possibility with an example6. He writes In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, if an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 purchased on credit at spot rate) Thus, sarf can be converted into interest-based borrowing amp lending. 2.1.3 Defining Thamaniyya is the Key It appears from the above synthesis of alternative views that the key issue seems to be a correct definition of thamaniyya. For instance, a fundamental question that leads to divergent positions on permissibility relates to whether thamaniyya is specific to gold and silver, or can be associated with anything that performs the functions of money. We raise some issues below which may be taken into account in any exercise in reconsideration of alternative positions. It should be appreciated that thamaniyya may not be absolute and may vary in degrees. It is true that paper currencies have completely replaced gold and silver as medium of exchange, unit of account and store of value. In this sense, paper currencies can be said to possess thamaniyya. However, this is true for domestic currencies only and may not be true for foreign currencies. In other words, Indian rupees possess thamaniyya within the geographical boundaries of India only, and do not have any acceptability in US. These cannot be said to possess thamaniyya in US unless a US citizen can use Indian rupees as a medium of exchange, or unit of account, or store of value. In most cases such a possibility is remote. This possibility is also a function of the exchange rate mechanism in place, such as, convertibility of Indian rupees into US dollars, and whether a fixed or floating exchange rate system is in place. For example, assuming free convertibility of Indian rupees into US dollars and vice versa, and a fixed exchange rate system in which the rupee-dollar exchange rate is not expected to increase or decrease in the foreseeable future, thamaniyya of rupee in US is considerably improved. The example cited by Dr Nejatullah Siddiqui also appears quite robust under the circumstances. Permission to exchange rupees for dollars on a deferred basis (from one end, of course) at a rate different from the spot rate (official rate which is likely to remain fixed till the date of settlement) would be a clear case of interest-based borrowing and lending. However, if the assumption of fixed exchange rate is relaxed and the present system of fluctuating and volatile exchange rates is assumed to be the case, then it can be shown that the case of riba al-nasia breaks down. We rewrite his example: In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, if an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 purchased on credit at spot rate) This would be so, only if the currency risk is non-existent (exchange rate remains at 1:20), or is borne by the seller of dollars (buyer repays in rupees and not in dollars). If the former is true, then the seller of the dollars (lender) receives a predetermined return of ten percent when he converts Rs1100 received on the maturity date into 55 (at an exchange rate of 1:20). However, if the latter is true, then the return to the seller (or the lender) is not predetermined. It need not even be positive. For example, if the rupee-dollar exchange rate increases to 1:25, then the seller of dollar would receive only 44 (Rs 1100 converted into dollars) for his investment of 50. Here two points are worth noting. First, when one assumes a fixed exchange rate regime, the distinction between currencies of different countries gets diluted. The situation becomes similar to exchanging pounds with sterlings (currencies belonging to the same country) at a fixed rate. Second, when one assumes a volatile exchange rate system, then just as one can visualize lending through the foreign currency market (mechanism suggested in the above example), one can also visualize lending through any other organized market (such as, for commodities or stocks.) If one replaces dollars for stocks in the above example, it would read as: In a given moment in time when the market price of stock X is Rs 20, if an individual purchases 50 stocks at the rate of Rs 22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 stocks purchased on credit at current price) In this case too as in the earlier example, returns to the seller of stocks may be negative if stock price rises to Rs 25 on the settlement date. Hence, just as returns in the stock market or commodity market are Islamically acceptable because of the price risk, so are returns in the currency market because of fluctuations in the prices of currencies. A unique feature of thaman haqiqi or gold and silver is that the intrinsic worth of the currency is equal to its face value. Thus, the question of different geographical boundaries within which a given currency, such as, dinar or dirham circulates, is completely irrelevant. Gold is gold whether in country A or country B. Thus, when currency of country A made of gold is exchanged for currency of country B, also made of gold, then any deviation of the exchange rate from unity or deferment of settlement by either party cannot be permitted as it would clearly involve riba al-fadl and also riba al-nasia. However, when paper currencies of country A is exchanged for paper currency of country B, the case may be entirely different. The price risk (exchange rate risk), if positive, would eliminate any possibility of riba al-nasia in the exchange with deferred settlement. However, if price risk (exchange rate risk) is zero, then such exchange could be a source of riba al-nasia if deferred settlement is permitted7. Another point that merits serious consideration is the possibility that certain currencies may possess thamaniyya, that is, used as a medium of exchange, unit of account, or store of value globally, within the domestic as well as foreign countries. For instance, US dollar is legal tender within US it is also acceptable as a medium of exchange or unit of account for a large volume of transactions across the globe. Thus, this specific currency may be said to possesses thamaniyya globally, in which case, jurists may impose the relevant injunctions on exchanges involving this specific currency to prevent riba al-nasia. The fact is that when a currency possesses thamaniyya globally, then economic units using this global currency as the medium of exchange, unit of account or store of value may not be concerned about risk arising from volatility of inter-country exchange rates. At the same time, it should be recognized that a large majority of currencies do not perform the functions of money except within their national boundaries where these are legal tender. Riba and risk cannot coexist in the same contract. The former connotes a possibility of returns with zero risk and cannot be earned through a market with positive price risk. As has been discussed above, the possibility of riba al-fadl or riba al-nasia may arise in exchange when gold or silver function as thaman or when the exchange involves paper currencies belonging to the same country or when the exchange involves currencies of different countries following a fixed exchange rate system. The last possibility is perhaps unIslamic8 since price or exchange rate of currencies should be allowed to fluctuate freely in line with changes in demand and supply and also because prices should reflect the intrinsic worth or purchasing power of currencies. The foreign currency markets of today are characterised by volatile exchange rates. The gains or losses made on any transaction in currencies of different countries, are justified by the risk borne by the parties to the contract. 2.1.4. Possibility of Riba with Futures and Forwards So far, we have discussed views on the permissibility of bai salam in currencies, that is, when the obligation of only one of the parties to the exchange is deferred. What are the views of scholars on deferment of obligations of both parties. Typical example of such contracts are forwards and futures9. According to a large majority of scholars, this is not permissible on various grounds, the most important being the element of risk and uncertainty (gharar) and the possibility of speculation of a kind which is not permissible. This is discussed in section 3. However, another ground for rejecting such contracts may be riba prohibition. In the preceding paragraph we have discussed that bai salam in currencies with fluctuating exchange rates can not be used to earn riba because of the presence of currency risk. It is possible to demonstrate that currency risk can be hedged or reduced to zero with another forward contract transacted simultaneously. And once risk is eliminated, the gain clearly would be riba. We modify and rewrite the same example: In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), and the seller of dollars also hedges his position by entering into a forward contract to sell Rs1100 to be received on the future date at a rate of 1:20, then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 dollars purchased on credit at spot rate) The seller of the dollars (lender) receives a predetermined return of ten percent when he converts Rs1100 received on the maturity date into 55 dollars (at an exchange rate of 1:20) for his investment of 50 dollars irrespective of the market rate of exchange prevailing on the date of maturity. Another simple possible way to earn riba may even involve a spot transaction and a simultaneous forward transaction. For example, the individual in the above example purchases 50 on a spot basis at the rate of 1:20 and simultaneously enters into a forward contract with the same party to sell 50 at the rate of 1:21 after one month. In effect this implies that he is lending Rs1000 now to the seller of dollars for one month and earns an interest of Rs50 (he receives Rs1050 after one month. This is a typical buy-back or repo (repurchase) transaction so common in conventional banking.10 3. The Issue of Freedom from Gharar Gharar, unlike riba, does not have a consensus definition. In broad terms, it connotes risk and uncertainty. It is useful to view gharar as a continuum of risk and uncertainty wherein the extreme point of zero risk is the only point that is well-defined. Beyond this point, gharar becomes a variable and the gharar involved in a real life contract would lie somewhere on this continuum. Beyond a point on this continuum, risk and uncertainty or gharar becomes unacceptable11. Jurists have attempted to identify such situations involving forbidden gharar. A major factor that contributes to gharar is inadequate information (jahl) which increases uncertainty. This is when the terms of exchange, such as, price, objects of exchange, time of settlement etc. are not well-defined. Gharar is also defined in terms of settlement risk or the uncertainty surrounding delivery of the exchanged articles. Islamic scholars have identified the conditions which make a contract uncertain to the extent that it is forbidden. Each party to the contract must be clear as to the quantity, specification, price, time, and place of delivery of the contract. A contract, say, to sell fish in the river involves uncertainty about the subject of exchange, about its delivery, and hence, not Islamically permissible. The need to eliminate any element of uncertainty inherent in a contract is underscored by a number of traditions.12 An outcome of excessive gharar or uncertainty is that it leads to the possibility of speculation of a variety which is forbidden. Speculation in its worst form, is gambling. The holy Quran and the traditions of the holy prophet explicitly prohibit gains made from games of chance which involve unearned income. The term used for gambling is maisir which literally means getting something too easily, getting a profit without working for it. Apart from pure games of chance, the holy prophet also forbade actions which generated unearned incomes without much productive efforts.13 Here it may be noted that the term speculation has different connotations. It always involves an attempt to predict the future outcome of an event. But the process may or may not be backed by collection, analysis and interpretation of relevant information. The former case is very much in conformity with Islamic rationality. An Islamic economic unit is required to assume risk after making a proper assessment of risk with the help of information. All business decisions involve speculation in this sense. It is only in the absence of information or under conditions of excessive gharar or uncertainty that speculation is akin to a game of chance and is reprehensible. 3.2 Gharar amp Speculation with of Futures amp Forwards Considering the case of the basic exchange contracts highlighted in section 1, it may be noted that the third type of contract where settlement by both the parties is deferred to a future date is forbidden, according to a large majority of jurists on grounds of excessive gharar. Futures and forwards in currencies are examples of such contracts under which two parties become obliged to exchange currencies of two different countries at a known rate at the end of a known time period. For example, individuals A and B commit to exchange US dollars and Indian rupees at the rate of 1: 22 after one month. If the amount involved is 50 and A is the buyer of dollars then, the obligations of A and B are to make a payments of Rs1100 and 50 respectively at the end of one month. The contract is settled when both the parties honour their obligations on the future date. Traditionally, an overwhelming majority of Sharia scholars have disapproved such contracts on several grounds. The prohibition applies to all such contracts where the obligations of both parties are deferred to a future date, including contracts involving exchange of currencies. An important objection is that such a contract involves sale of a non-existent object or of an object not in the possession of the seller. This objection is based on several traditions of the holy prophet.14 There is difference of opinion on whether the prohibition in the said traditions apply to foodstuffs, or perishable commodities or to all objects of sale. There is, however, a general agreement on the view that the efficient cause (illa) of the prohibition of sale of an object which the seller does not own or of sale prior to taking possession is gharar, or the possible failure to deliver the goods purchased. Is this efficient cause (illa) present in an exchange involving future contracts in currencies of different countries. In a market with full and free convertibility or no constraints on the supply of currencies, the probability of failure to deliver the same on the maturity date should be no cause for concern. Further, the standardized nature of futures contracts and transparent operating procedures on the organized futures markets15 is believed to minimize this probability. Some recent scholars have opined in the light of the above that futures, in general, should be permissible. According to them, the efficient cause (illa), that is, the probability of failure to deliver was quite relevant in a simple, primitive and unorganized market. It is no longer relevant in the organized futures markets of today16. Such contention, however, continues to be rejected by the majority of scholars. They underscore the fact that futures contracts almost never involve delivery by both parties. On the contrary, parties to the contract reverse the transaction and the contract is settled in price difference only. For example, in the above example, if the currency exchange rate changes to 1: 23 on the maturity date, the reverse transaction for individual A would mean selling 50 at the rate of 1:23 to individual B. This would imply A making a gain of Rs50 (the difference between Rs1150 and Rs1100). This is exactly what B would lose. It may so happen that the exchange rate would change to 1:21 in which case A would lose Rs50 which is what B would gain. This obviously is a zero-sum game in which the gain of one party is exactly equal to the loss of the other. This possibility of gains or losses (which theoretically can touch infinity) encourages economic units to speculate on the future direction of exchange rates. Since exchange rates fluctuate randomly, gains and losses are random too and the game is reduced to a game of chance. There is a vast body of literature on the forecastability of exchange rates and a large majority of empirical studies have provided supporting evidence on the futility of any attempt to make short-run predictions. Exchange rates are volatile and remain unpredictable at least for the large majority of market participants. Needless to say, any attempt to speculate in the hope of the theoretically infinite gains is, in all likelihood, a game of chance for such participants. While the gains, if they materialize, are in the nature of maisir or unearned gains, the possibility of equally massive losses do indicate a possibility of default by the loser and hence, gharar. 3.3. Risk Management in Volatile Markets Hedging or risk reduction adds to planning and managerial efficiency. The economic justification of futures and forwards is in term of their role as a device for hedging. In the context of currency markets which are characterized by volatile rates, such contracts are believed to enable the parties to transfer and eliminate risk arising out of such fluctuations. For example, modifying the earlier example, assume that individual A is an exporter from India to US who has already sold some commodities to B, the US importer and anticipates a cashflow of 50 (which at the current market rate of 1:22 mean Rs 1100 to him) after one month. There is a possibility that US dollar may depreciate against Indian rupee during these one month, in which case A would realize less amount of rupees for his 50 ( if the new rate is 1:21, A would realize only Rs1050 ). Hence, A may enter into a forward or future contract to sell 50 at the rate of 1:21.5 at the end of one month (and thereby, realize Rs1075) with any counterparty which, in all probability, would have diametrically opposite expectations regarding future direction of exchange rates. In this case, A is able to hedge his position and at the same time, forgoes the opportunity of making a gain if his expectations do not materialize and US dollar appreciates against Indian rupee (say, to 1:23 which implies that he would have realized Rs1150, and not Rs1075 which he would realize now.) While hedging tools always improve planning and hence, performance, it should be noted that the intention of the contracting party whether to hedge or to speculate, can never be ascertained. It may be noted that hedging can also be accomplished with bai salam in currencies. As in the above example, exporter A anticipating a cash inflow of 50 after one month and expecting a depreciation of dollar may go for a salam sale of 50 (with his obligation to pay 50 deferred by one month.) Since he is expecting a dollar depreciation, he may agree to sell 50 at the rate of 1: 21.5. There would be an immediate cash inflow in Rs 1075 for him. The question may be, why should the counterparty pay him rupees now in lieu of a promise to be repaid in dollars after one month. As in the case of futures, the counterparty would do so for profit, if its expectations are diametrically opposite, that is, it expects dollar to appreciate. For example, if dollar appreciates to 1: 23 during the one month period, then it would receive Rs1150 for Rs 1075 it invested in the purchase of 50. Thus, while A is able to hedge its position, the counterparty is able to earn a profit on trading of currencies. The difference from the earlier scenario is that the counterparty would be more restrained in trading because of the investment required, and such trading is unlikely to take the shape of rampant speculation. 4. Summary amp Conclusion Currency markets of today are characterized by volatile exchange rates. This fact should be taken note of in any analysis of the three basic types of contracts in which the basis of distinction is the possibility of deferment of obligations to future. We have attempted an assessment of these forms of contracting in terms of the overwhelming need to eliminate any possibility of riba, minimize gharar, jahl and the possibility of speculation of a kind akin to games of chance. In a volatile market, the participants are exposed to currency risk and Islamic rationality requires that such risk should be minimized in the interest of efficiency if not reduced to zero. It is obvious that spot settlement of the obligations of both parties would completely prohibit riba, and gharar, and minimize the possibility of speculation. However, this would also imply the absence of any technique of risk management and may involve some practical problems for the participants. At the other extreme, if the obligations of both the parties are deferred to a future date, then such contracting, in all likelihood, would open up the possibility of infinite unearned gains and losses from what may be rightly termed for the majority of participants as games of chance. Of course, these would also enable the participants to manage risk through complete risk transfer to others and reduce risk to zero. It is this possibility of risk reduction to zero which may enable a participant to earn riba. Future is not a new form of contract. Rather the justification for proscribing it is new. If in a simple primitive economy, it was prevention of gharar relating to delivery of the exchanged article, in todays complex financial system and organized exchanges, it is prevention of speculation of kind which is unIslamic and which is possible under excessive gharar involved in forecasting highly volatile exchange rates. Such speculation is not just a possibility, but a reality. The precise motive of an economic unit entering into a future contract speculation or hedging may not ascertainable ( regulators may monitor end use, but such regulation may not be very practical, nor effective in a free market). Empirical evidence at a macro level, however, indicates the former to be the dominant motive. The second type of contracting with deferment of obligations of one of the parties to a future date falls between the two extremes. While Sharia scholars have divergent views about its permissibility, our analysis reveals that there is no possibility of earning riba with this kind of contracting. The requirement of spot settlement of obligations of atleast one party imposes a natural curb on speculation, though the room for speculation is greater than under the first form of contracting. The requirement amounts to imposition of a hundred percent margin which, in all probability, would drive away the uninformed speculator from the market. This should force the speculator to be a little more sure of his expectations by being more informed. When speculation is based on information it is not only permissible, but desirable too. Bai salam would also enable the participants to manage risk. At the same time, the requirement of settlement from one end would dampen the tendency of many participants to seek a complete transfer of perceived risk and encourage them to make a realistic assessment of the actual risk. Notes amp References 1. These diverse views are reflected in the papers presented at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar organized by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, India in 1991 which were subsequently published in Majalla Fiqh Islami, part 4 by the Academy. The discussion on riba prohibition draws on these views. 2. Nabil Saleh, Unlawful gain and Legitimate Profit in Islamic Law, Graham and Trotman, London, 1992, p.16 3. Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni, vol.4, pp.5-9 4. Shams al Din al Sarakhsi, al-Mabsut, vol 14, pp 24-25 5. Paper presented by Abdul Azim Islahi at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar organized by Islamic Fiqh Academy, India in 1991. 6. Paper by Dr M N Siddiqui highlighting the issue was circulated among all leading Fiqh scholars by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, India for their views and was the main theme of deliberations during the session on Currency Exchange at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar held in 1991. 7. It is contended by some that the above example may be modified to show the possibility of riba with spot settlement too. In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, if an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation also on a spot basis), then it amounts to the seller of dollars exchanging 50 with 55 on a spot basis (Since, he can obtain Rs 1100 now, exchange them for 55 at spot rate of 1:20) Thus, spot settlement can also be a clear source of riba. Does this imply that spot settlement should be proscribed too. The fallacy in the above and earlier examples is that there is no single contract but multiple contracts of exchange occurring at different points in time (true even in the above case). Riba can be earned only when the spot rate of 1:20 is fixed during the time interval between the transactions. This assumption is, needless to say, unrealistic and if imposed artificially, perhaps unIslamic. 8. Islam envisages a free market where prices are determined by forces of demand and supply. There should be no interference in the price formation process even by the regulators. While price control and fixation is generally accepted as unIslamic, some scholars, such as, Ibn Taimiya do admit of its permissibility. However, such permissibility is subject to the condition that price fixation is intended to combat cases of market anomalies caused by impairing the conditions of free competition. If market conditions are normal, forces of demand and supply should be allowed a free play in determination of prices. 9. Some Islamic scholars use the term forward to connote a salam sale. However, we use this term in the conventional sense where the obligations of both parties are deferred to a future date and hence, are similar to futures in this sense. The latter however, are standardized contracts and are traded on an organized Futures Exchange while the former are specific to the requirements of the buyer and seller. 10. This is known as bai al inah which is considered forbidden by almost all scholars with the exception of Imam Shafii. Followers of the same school, such as Al Nawawi do not consider it Islamically permissible. 11. It should be noted that modern finance theories also distinguish between conditions of risk and uncertainty and assert that rational decision making is possible only under conditions of risk and not under conditions of uncertainty. Conditions of risk refer to a situation where it is possible with the help of available data to estimate all possible outcomes and their corresponding probabilities, or develop the ex-ante probability distribution. Under conditions of uncertainty, no such exercise is possible. The definition of gharar, Real-life situations, of course, fall somewhere in the continuum of risk and uncertainty. 12. The following traditions underscore the need to avoid contracts involving uncertainty. Ibn Abbas reported that when Allahs prophet (pbuh) came to Medina, they were paying one and two years advance for fruits, so he said: Those who pay in advance for any thing must do so for a specified weight and for a definite time. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) forbade the transaction called habal al-habala whereby a man bought a she-camel which was to be the off-spring of a she-camel and which was still in its mothers womb. 13. According to a tradition reported by Abu Huraira, Allahs Messenger (pbuh) forbade a transaction determined by throwing stones, and the type which involves some uncertainty. The form of gambling most popular to Arabs was gambling by casting lots by means of arrows, on the principle of lottery, for division of carcass of slaughtered animals. The carcass was divided into unequal parts and marked arrows were drawn from a bag. One received a large or small share depending on the mark on the arrow drawn. Obviously it was a pure game of chance. 14. The holy prophet is reported to have said Do not sell what is not with you Ibn Abbas reported that the prophet said: He who buys foodstuff should not sell it until he has taken possession of it. Ibn Abbas said: I think it applies to all other things as well. 15. The Futures Exchange performs an important function of providing a guarantee for delivery by all parties to the contract. It serves as the counterparty in the exchange for both, that is, as the buyer for the sale and as the seller for the purchase. 16. M Hashim Kamali Islamic Commercial Law: An Analysis of Futures, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol.13, no.2, 1996 Dalam bukunya Prof. Drs. Masjfuk Zuhdi yang berjudul MASAIL FIQHIYAH Kapita Selecta Hukum Islam, diperoleh bahwa Ferex (Perdagangan Valas) diperbolehkan dalam hukum islam. Perdagangan valuta asing timbul karena adanya perdagangan barang-barang kebutuhan / komoditi antar negara yang bersifat internasional. Perdagangan (Ekspor-Impor) ini tentu memerlukan ALAT bayar yaitu Uang yang-Masing Masing negara mempunyai ketentuan sendiri dan berbeda satu sama lainnya sesuai dengan penawaran dan permintaan diantara negara-negara tersebut sehingga en relieve PERBANDINGAN Nilai MATA Uang antar negara. Perbandingan nilai mata uang antar negara terkumpul dalam suatu BURSA atau PASAR yang bersifat internasional dan terikat dalam suatu kesepakatan bersama yang saling menguntungkan. Nilai mata uang suatu negara dengan negara lainnya ini berubah (berluktuasi) setiap saat sesuai volumen permintaan dan penawarannya. Adanya permintaan dan penawil inilah yang menimbulkan transaksi mata uang. Yang secara nyata hanyalah tukar-menukar mata uang yang berbeda nilai. HUKUM ISLAM dalam TRANSAKSI VALAS 1. Ada Ijab-Qobul: 8212gt Ada perjanjian untuk memberi dan menerima Penjual menyerahkan barang dan pembeli membayar tunai. Ijab-Qobulnya dilakukan dengan lisan, tulisan dan utusan. Pembeli dan penjual mempunyai wewenang penuh melaksanakan dan melakukan tindakan-tindakan hukum (dewasa dan berpikiran sehat) 2. Memenuhi syarat menjadi objek transaksi jual-beli yaitu: Suci barangnya (bukan najis) Dapat dimanfaatkan Dapat diserahterimakan Jelas barang dan harganya Dijual (dibeli) oleh pemiliknya sendiri atau kuasanya atas izin pemiliknya Barang sudah berada ditangannya jika barangnya diperoleh dengan imbalan. Perlu ditambahkan pendapat Muhammad Isa, bahwa jual beli salam itu diperbolehkan dalam agama. 8220Jangan kamu membeli el aire de la mano, karena sesungguhnya jual beli yang demikian itu mengandung penipuan8221. (Hadis Ahmad bin Hambal dan Al Baihaqi dari Ibnu Mas8217ud) Jual beli barang yang tidak di tempat transaksi diperbolehkan dengan syarat harus diterangkán sifat-sifatnya atau ciri-cirinya. Kemudiano jika barang sesuai dengan keterangán penjual, maka sahlah jual belinya. Tetapi jika tidak sesuai maka pembeli mempunyai hak khiyar . artinya boleh meneruskan atau membatalkan jual belinya. Hal ini sesuai dengan hadis Nabi riwayat Al Daraquthni dari Abu Hurairah: 8220Barang siapa yang membeli sesuatu yang ia tidak melihatnya, maka ia berhak khiyar jika ia telah melihatnya8221. Jual beli hasil tanam yang terpendam masih, ketela seperti, kentang, Bawang dan sebagainya juga diperbolehkan, asal diberi contohnya, karena Akan mengalami kesulitan atau kerugian jika Harus mengeluarkan semua hasil tanaman yang terpendam Untuk dijual. Hal ini sesuai dengan kaidah hukum Islam: Kesulitan itu menarik kemudahan. Demikian juga jual beli barang-barang yang telah terbungkus / tertutup, seperti makanan kalengan, LPG, sebagainya dan, asalkam diberi etiqueta yang menerangkan isinya. Vide Sabiq, op. Cit. Hal 135. Mengenai teks kaidah hukum Islam tersebut di atas, vide Al Suyuthi, Al-Asbah al-Nadzair, Mesir, Mustafa Muhammad, 1936 hal. 55. JUAL BELI VALUTA QUE ASA DAN SAHAM Yang dimaksud dengan el valor adalah mata uang luar negeri seperi dolar Amerika, libra esterlina Inggris, ringgit Malasia dan sebagainya. Apabila antara negara terjadi perdagangan internasional maka tiap negara membutuhkan valuta asing untuk alat bayar luar negeri yang dalam dunia perdagangan disebut devisa. Misalnya eksportir Indonesia akan memperoleh idee dari hasil ekspornya, sebaliknya importir Indonesia memerlukan devisa untuk mengimpor dari luar negeri. Dengan demikian akan timbul península perminataan di bursa valuta asing. Setiap, negara, berwenang, penuh, menetapkan, kurs, masing-masing (kurs adalah, perbandingan, nilai uangnya, terhadap, mata uang asing) Misalnya 1 dolar Amerika Rp. 12.000. Namun kurs uang atau perbandingan nilai tukar setiap saat bisa berubah-ubah, tergantung pada kekuatan ekonomi negara masing-masing. Pencatatan kurs uang dan transaksi jual beli valuta asing diselenggarakan di Bursa Valuta Asing (A. W. J. Tupanno, et. al. Ekonomi dan Koperasi, Jakarta, Depdikbud 1982, hal 76-77) Like this:Forex menurut Hukum Islam Banyak perbedaan pendapat tentang forex itu sendiri, ada yang mengatakan tidak boleh, tetapi ada juga yang mengatakan boleh. Dibawah ini adalah pendapat yang membolehkan dari beberapa sumber tentang forex itu sendiri (sedang untuk yang tidak membolehkan forex itu sendiri, silahkan search di Google). Fit4global. wordpress hanya memberi wacana, dan hanya fokus ke riset ilmiah tentang pergerakan forex. Fit4global. wordpress memang didedikasikan untuk meriset secara logika dan ilmiah tentang pergerakan forex baik teknikal maupun fundamental. Sebagian umat Islam ada yang meragukan kehalalan praktik perdagangan berjangka. Bagaimana menurut padangan para pakar Islam Apa pendapat para ulama mengenai comercio forex, comercio saham, índice de comercio, saham, dan komoditi Apakah Hukum Forex Trading Valas Halal Menurut Hukum Islam Mari kita ikuti selengkapnya. Jangan engkau menjual sesuatu yang tidak ada padamu, sabda Nabi Muhammad SAW, dalam sebuah hadits riwayat Abu Hurairah. Oleh sementara fuqaha (ahli fiqih Islam), hadits tersebut ditafsirkan secara saklek. Pokoknya, setiap praktik jual beli yang tidak ada barangnya pada waktu akad, haram. Penafsiran secara demikian itu, tak pelak lagi, membuat fiqih Islam sulit untuk memenuhi tuntutan jaman yang terus berkembang dengan perubahan-perubahannya. Karena itu, sejumlah ulama klasik yang terkenal dengan pemikiran cemerlangnya, menentang cara penafsiran yang terkesan sempit tersebut. Misalnya, Ibn al-Qayyim. Ulama bermazhab Hambali ini berpendapat, bahwa tidak benar jual-beli barang yang tidak ada dilarang. Baik dalam Al Corán, sunnah maupun fatwa para sahabat, larangan itu tidak ada. Dalam Sunnah Nabi, hanya terdapat larangan menjual barang yang belum ada, sebagaimana larangan beberapa barang yang sudah ada pada waktu akad. Causa legis atau ilat larangan tersebut bukan ada atau tidak adanya barang, melainkan garar, ujar El Dr. Syamsul Anwar, MA dari IAIN Suka Yogyakarta menjelaskan pendapat Ibn al-Qayyim. Garar adalah ketidakpastian tentang apaká barang yang diperjual-belikan itu dapat diserahkan atau tidak. Misalnya, seseorang menjual unta yang hilang. Atau menjual barang milik orang lain, padahal tidak diberi kewenangan oleh yang bersangkutan. Jadi, meskipun pada waktu akad barangnya tidak ada, namun ada kepastian diadakan pada waktu diperlukan sehingga bisa diserahkan kepada pembeli, maka jual beli tersebut sah. Sebaliknya, kendati barangnya sudah ada tapi karena satu dan lain hal tidak mungkin diserahkan kepada pembeli, maka jual beli itu tidak sah. Perdagangan berjangka, jelas, bukan garar. Sebab, dalam kontrak berjangkanya, jenis komoditi yang dijual-belikan sudah ditentukan. Begitu juga dengan jumlah, mutu, tempat dan waktu penyerahannya. Semuanya berjalan di atas rel atur resmi yang ketat, sebagai antisipasi terjadinya praktek penyimpangan berupa penipuan satu hal yang sebetulnya bisa juga terjadi pada praktik jua-beli konvensional. Dalam perspektif hukum Islam, Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi (PBK) (foral adalah bagian dari PBK) dapat dimasukkan dalam kategori almasail almuashirah atau masala-masala hukum Islam kontemporer. Karena itu, estado hukumnya dapat dikategorikan kepada masalah ijtihadiyyah. Klasifikasi ijtihadiyyah masuk ke dalam wilayah fi ma la nasha fih, yakni masala hukum yang tidak mempunyai referensi nash hukum yang pasti. Dalam kategori masala hukum al-Sahrastani, es decir, dalam paradigma al-nushush qad intahat wa al-waqaI la tatanahi. Artinya, nash hukum dalam bentuk Al-Quran dan Sunnah sudah selesai tidak lagi ada tambahan. Dengan demikian, kasus-kasus hukum, yang baru, muncul, mesti, diberikan, kepastian, hukumnya, melalui, ijtihad. Dalam kasus hukum PBK, ijtihad dapat merujuk kepada teori perubahan hukum yang diperkenalkan oleh Ibn Qoyyim al-Jauziyyah. Ia menjelaskan, fatwa hukum dapat berubah karena beberapa variabel perubahnya, yakni: waktu, tempat, niat, tujuan dan manfaat. Teori perubahan hukum eni diturunkan dari paradigma ilmu hukum dari gurunya Ibn Taimiyyah, yang menyatakan bahwa a-haqiqah fi al-ayan la fi al-adzhan. Artinya, kebenaran hukum itu dijumpai dalam kenyataan empirik bukan dalam alam pemikiran idea de atau alam. Paradigma ini diturunkan dari prinsip hukum islam tentang keadilan yang dalam Al Quran digunakan istilah al-mizan, al-qisth, al-wasth, al-adl. Dalam penerapannya, secara khusus masala PBK dapat dimasukkán ke dalam bidang kaji fiqh al-siyasah maliyyah, yakni politik hukum kebendaan. Dengan kata lain, PBK termasuk kajian hukum islam dalam pengertian bagaimana hukum islam diterapkan dalam masalah kepemilikan atas harta benda, melalui perdagangan berjangka komoditi dalam era globalistasi dan perdagangan bebas. Realisasi yang palidez mungkin dentro rangka melindungi pelaku dan pihak-yang pihak terlibat dentro Perdagangan Berjangka komoditi dentro ruang dan waktu Serta Pertimbangan tujuan dan manfaatnya dewasa ini, sejalan dengan semangat dan Bunyi UU Nº 32/1977 tentang PBK. Karena teori Perubahan hukum seperti dijelaskan di atas, de Dapat menunjukkan elastisitas hukum Islam dentro de kelembagaan dan praktek perekonomian, maka PBK dentro de un sistem hukum Islam de Dapat dianalogikan dengan bahía biajil al-salamajl. Bahía al-salam dapat diartikan sebagai berikut. Al-salam atau al-salaf adalah bay ajl biajil, yakni memperjualbelikan sesuatu yang dengan ketentuan sifat-sifatnya yang terjamin kebenarannya. Di dalam transaksi demikian, penyerahan ras al-mal dalam bentuk uang sebagai nilai tukar didahulukan daripada penyerahan komoditi yang dimaksud dalam transaksi itu. ditangguhkan Akad atas komoditas jual beli yang diberi sifat terjamin yang (Berjangka) dengan Gama jual yang ditetapkan di dentro de la bursa akad: Ulama Syafiiyah dan Hanabilah mendefinisikannya dengan. Keabsahan transaksi jual beli Berjangka, ditentukan oleh terpenuhinya rukun dan syarat sebagai berikut: a) Rukun sebagai utama unsur-unsur yang Harus ada dentro Suatu peristiwa transaksi Unsur-unsur utama di dentro de la bahía al-Salam adalah: Pihak-pihak pelaku transaksi (aqid) Yang disebut dengan istilah musulmanes atau musulmanes ilaih. Objek transaksi (maqud alaih), yaitu barang-barang komoditi berjangka y harga tukar (ras al-mal al-salam al-muslim fih). Kalimat transaksi (Sighat aqad), yaitu ijab dan kabul. Yang perlu diperhatikan dari unsur-unsur tersebut, adalah bahwa ijab dan qabul dinyatakan dalam bahasa dan kalimat yang jelas menunjukkan transaksi berjangka. Karena UIT, ulemas Syafiiyah menekankan penggunaan istilah al-Salam al-salaf atau di dentro kalimat-kalimat transaksi UIT, dengan alasan bahwa aqd al-Salam al-adalah bahía madum dengan sifat dan Cara berbeda dari akad jual dan beli (compra). Persyaratan menyangkut objek transaksi, adalah: bahwa objek transaksi harus memenuhi kejelasan mengenai: jenisnya (an yakun fi jinsin malumin), sifatnya, ukuran (kadar), jangka penyerahan, harga tukar, tempat penyerahan. Persyaratan yang harus dipenuhi oleh harga tukar (al-tsaman), adalá, Pertama, kejelasan jenis alat tukar, yaitu dirham, dinar, rupia atau dolar dsb atau barang-barang yang dapat ditimbang, disukat, dsb. Kedua, kejelasan jenis alat tukar apakah rupia, dolar Amerika, dolar Singapura, dst. Apakah timbangan yang disepakati dalam bentuk kilogramo, estanque, dst. Kejelasan tentang kualitas objek transaksi, apakah kualitas istimewa, baik sedang atau buruk. Syarat-syarat di atas ditetapkán dengan maksud menghilangkan jahalah fi al-aqd atau alasan ketidaktahu kondisi-kondisi barang pada saat transaksi. Sebab hal ini akan mengakibatkan terjadinya perselisán di antara pelaku transaksi, yang akan merusak nilai transaksi. Kejelasan jumlah harga tukar. Penjelasan singkat di atas nampaknya telah dapat miembro kejelasan kebolehan PBK. Kalaupun dentro pelaksanaannya masih ada pihak-yang pihak MERASA dirugikan dengan Peraturan perundang-yang Undangan ada, maka dapatlah digunakan kaidah hukum atau máxima legal yang berbunyi: MA La yudrak kulluh la yutrak kulluh. Apa yang tidak dapat dilaksanakan semuanya, tidak del maka perlu ditinggalkan keseluruhannya. Dengan demikian, hukum dan pelaksanaan PBK sampai batas-batas tertentu boleh dinyatakan dapat diterima atau setidak-tidaknya sesuai dengan semangat dan jiwa norma hukum Islam, dengan menganalogikan kepada bay al-salam. 1. The Basic Exchange Contracts There is a general consensus among Islamic jurists on the view that currencies of different countries can be exchanged on a spot basis at a rate different from unity, since currencies of different countries are distinct entities with different values or intrinsic worth, and purchasing power. There also seems to be a general agreement among a majority of scholars on the view that currency exchange on a forward basis is not permissible, that is, when the rights and obligations of both parties relate to a future date. However, there is considerable difference of opinion among jurists when the rights of either one of the parties, which is same as obligation of the counterparty, is deferred to a future date. To elaborate, let us consider the example of two individuals A and B who belong to two different countries, India and US respectively. A intends to sell Indian rupees and buy U. S dollars. The converse is true for B. The rupee-dollar exchange rate agreed upon is 1:20 and the transaction involves buying and selling of 50. The first situation is that A makes a spot payment of Rs1000 to B and accepts payment of 50 from B. The transaction is settled on a spot basis from both ends. Such transactions are valid and Islamically permissible. There are no two opinions about the same. The second possibility is that settlement of the transaction from both ends is deferred to a future date, say after six months from now. This implies that both A and B would make and accept payment of Rs1000 or 50, as the case may be, after six months. The predominant view is that such a contract is not Islamically permissible. A minority view considers it permissible. The third scenario is that the transaction is partly settled from one end only. For example, A makes a payment of Rs1000 now to B in lieu of a promise by B to pay 50 to him after six months. Alternatively, A accepts 50 now from B and promises to pay Rs1000 to him after six months. There are diametrically opposite views on the permissibility of such contracts which amount to bai-salam in currencies. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive analysis of various arguments in support and against the permissibility of these basic contracts involving currencies. The first form of contracting involving exchange of countervalues on a spot basis is beyond any kind of controversy. Permissibility or otherwise of the second type of contract in which delivery of one of the countervalues is deferred to a future date, is generally discussed in the framework of riba prohibition. Accordingly we discuss this contract in detail in section 2 dealing with the issue of prohibition of riba. Permissibility of the third form of contract in which delivery of both the countervalues is deferred, is generally discussed within the framework of reducing risk and uncertainty or gharar involved in such contracts. This, therefore, is the central theme of section 3 which deals with the issue of gharar. Section 4 attempts a holistic view of the Sharia relates issues as also the economic significance of the basic forms of contracting in the currency market. 2. The Issue of Riba Prohibition The divergence of views1 on the permissibility or otherwise of exchange contracts in currencies can be traced primarily to the issue of riba prohibition. The need to eliminate riba in all forms of exchange contracts is of utmost importance. Riba in its Sharia context is generally defined2 as an unlawful gain derived from the quantitative inequality of the countervalues in any transaction purporting to effect the exchange of two or more species (anwa), which belong to the same genus (jins) and are governed by the same efficient cause (illa). Riba is generally classified into riba al-fadl (excess) and riba al-nasia (deferment) which denote an unlawful advantage by way of excess or deferment respectively. Prohibition of the former is achieved by a stipulation that the rate of exchange between the objects is unity and no gain is permissible to either party. The latter kind of riba is prohibited by disallowing deferred settlement and ensuring that the transaction is settled on the spot by both the parties. Another form of riba is called riba al-jahiliyya or pre-Islamic riba which surfaces when the lender asks the borrower on the maturity date if the latter would settle the debt or increase the same. Increase is accompanied by charging interest on the amount initially borrowed. The prohibition of riba in the exchange of currencies belonging to different countries requires a process of analogy (qiyas). And in any such exercise involving analogy (qiyas), efficient cause (illa) plays an extremely important role. It is a common efficient cause (illa), which connects the object of the analogy with its subject, in the exercise of analogical reasoning. The appropriate efficient cause (illa) in case of exchange contracts has been variously defined by the major schools of Fiqh. This difference is reflected in the analogous reasoning for paper currencies belonging to different countries. A question of considerable significance in the process of analogous reasoning relates to the comparison between paper currencies with gold and silver. In the early days of Islam, gold and silver performed all the functions of money (thaman). Currencies were made of gold and silver with a known intrinsic value (quantum of gold or silver contained in them). Such currencies are described as thaman haqiqi, or naqdain in Fiqh literature. These were universally acceptable as principal means of exchange, accounting for a large chunk of transactions. Many other commodities, such as, various inferior metals also served as means of exchange, but with limited acceptability. These are described as fals in Fiqh literature. These are also known as thaman istalahi because of the fact that their acceptability stems not from their intrinsic worth, but due to the status accorded by the society during a particular period of time. The above two forms of currencies have been treated very differently by early Islamic jurists from the standpoint of permissibility of contracts involving them. The issue that needs to be resolved is whether the present age paper currencies fall under the former category or the latter. One view is that these should be treated at par with thaman haqiqi or gold and silver, since these serve as the principal means of exchange and unit of account like the latter. Hence, by analogous reasoning, all the Sharia-related norms and injunctions applicable to thaman haqiqi should also be applicable to paper currency. Exchange of thaman haqiqi is known as bai-sarf, and hence, the transactions in paper currencies should be governed by the Sharia rules relevant for bai-sarf. The contrary view asserts that paper currencies should be treated in a manner similar to fals or thaman istalahi because of the fact that their face value is different from their intrinsic worth. Their acceptability stems from their legal status within the domestic country or global economic importance (as in case of US dollars, for instance). 2.1. A Synthesis of Alternative Views 2.1.1. Analogical Reasoning (Qiyas) for Riba Prohibition The prohibition of riba is based on the tradition that the holy prophet (peace be upon him) said, Sell gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, date for date, salt for salt, in same quantities on the spot and when the commodities are different, sell as it suits you, but on the spot. Thus, the prohibition of riba applies primarily to the two precious metals (gold and silver) and four other commodities (wheat, barley, dates and salt). It also applies, by analogy (qiyas) to all species which are governed by the same efficient cause (illa) or which belong to any one of the genera of the six objects cited in the tradition. However, there is no general agreement among the various schools of Fiqh and even scholars belonging to the same school on the definition and identification of efficient cause (illa) of riba. For the Hanafis, efficient cause (illa) of riba has two dimensions: the exchanged articles belong to the same genus (jins) these possess weight (wazan) or measurability (kiliyya). If in a given exchange, both the elements of efficient cause (illa) are present, that is, the exchanged countervalues belong to the same genus (jins) and are all weighable or all measurable, then no gain is permissible (the exchange rate must be equal to unity) and the exchange must be on a spot basis. In case of gold and silver, the two elements of efficient cause (illa) are: unity of genus (jins) and weighability. This is also the Hanbali view according to one version3. (A different version is similar to the Shafii and Maliki view, as discussed below.) Thus, when gold is exchanged for gold, or silver is exchanged for silver, only spot transactions without any gain are permissible. It is also possible that in a given exchange, one of the two elements of efficient cause (illa) is present and the other is absent. For example, if the exchanged articles are all weighable or measurable but belong to different genus (jins) or, if the exchanged articles belong to same genus (jins) but neither is weighable nor measurable, then exchange with gain (at a rate different from unity) is permissible, but the exchange must be on a spot basis. Thus, when gold is exchanged for silver, the rate can be different from unity but no deferred settlement is permissible. If none of the two elements of efficient cause (illa) of riba are present in a given exchange, then none of the injunctions for riba prohibition apply. Exchange can take place with or without gain and both on a spot or deferred basis. Considering the case of exchange involving paper currencies belonging to different countries, riba prohibition would require a search for efficient cause (illa). Currencies belonging to different countries are clearly distinct entities these are legal tender within specific geographical boundaries with different intrinsic worth or purchasing power. Hence, a large majority of scholars perhaps rightly assert that there is no unity of genus (jins). Additionally, these are neither weighable nor measurable. This leads to a direct conclusion that none of the two elements of efficient cause (illa) of riba exist in such exchange. Hence, the exchange can take place free from any injunction regarding the rate of exchange and the manner of settlement. The logic underlying this position is not difficult to comprehend. The intrinsic worth of paper currencies belonging to different countries differ as these have different purchasing power. Additionally, the intrinsic value or worth of paper currencies cannot be identified or assessed unlike gold and silver which can be weighed. Hence, neither the presence of riba al-fadl (by excess), nor riba al-nasia (by deferment) can be established. The Shafii school of Fiqh considers the efficient cause (illa) in case of gold and silver to be their property of being currency (thamaniyya) or the medium of exchange, unit of account and store of value. This is also the Maliki view. According to one version of this view, even if paper or leather is made the medium of exchange and is given the status of currency, then all the rules pertaining to naqdain, or gold and silver apply to them. Thus, according to this version, exchange involving currencies of different countries at a rate different from unity is permissible, but must be settled on a spot basis. Another version of the above two schools of thought is that the above cited efficient cause (illa) of being currency (thamaniyya) is specific to gold and silver, and cannot be generalized. That is, any other object, if used as a medium of exchange, cannot be included in their category. Hence, according to this version, the Sharia injunctions for riba prohibition are not applicable to paper currencies. Currencies belonging to different countries can be exchanged with or without gain and both on a spot or deferred basis. Proponents of the earlier version cite the case of exchange of paper currencies belonging to the same country in defense of their version. The consensus opinion of jurists in this case is that such exchange must be without any gain or at a rate equal to unity and must be settled on a spot basis. What is the rationale underlying the above decision If one considers the Hanafi and the first version of Hanbali position then, in this case, only one dimension of the efficient cause (illa) is present, that is, they belong to the same genus (jins). But paper currencies are neither weighable nor measurable. Hence, Hanafi law would apparently permit exchange of different quantities of the same currency on a spot basis. Similarly if the efficient cause of being currency (thamaniyya) is specific only to gold and silver, then Shafii and Maliki law would also permit the same. Needless to say, this amounts to permitting riba-based borrowing and lending. This shows that, it is the first version of the Shafii and Maliki thought which underlies the consensus decision of prohibition of gain and deferred settlement in case of exchange of currencies belonging to the same country. According to the proponents, extending this logic to exchange of currencies of different countries would imply that exchange with gain or at a rate different from unity is permissible (since there no unity of jins), but settlement must be on a spot basis. 2.1.2 Comparison between Currency Exchange and Bai-Sarf Bai-sarf is defined in Fiqh literature as an exchange involving thaman haqiqi, defined as gold and silver, which served as the principal medium of exchange for almost all major transactions. Proponents of the view that any exchange of currencies of different countries is same as bai-sarf argue that in the present age paper currencies have effectively and completely replaced gold and silver as the medium of exchange. Hence, by analogy, exchange involving such currencies should be governed by the same Sharia rules and injunctions as bai-sarf. It is also argued that if deferred settlement by either parties to the contract is permitted, this would open the possibilities of riba-al nasia. Opponents of categorization of currency exchange with bai-sarf however point out that the exchange of all forms of currency (thaman) cannot be termed as bai-sarf. According to this view bai-sarf implies exchange of currencies made of gold and silver (thaman haqiqi or naqdain) alone and not of money pronounced as such by the state authorities (thaman istalahi). The present age currencies are examples of the latter kind. These scholars find support in those writings which assert that if the commodities of exchange are not gold or silver, (even if one of these is gold or silver) then, the exchange cannot be termed as bai-sarf. Nor would the stipulations regarding bai-sarf be applicable to such exchanges. According to Imam Sarakhsi4 when an individual purchases fals or coins made out of inferior metals, such as, copper (thaman istalahi) for dirhams (thaman haqiqi) and makes a spot payment of the latter, but the seller does not have fals at that moment, then such exchange is permissible. taking possession of commodities exchanged by both parties is not a precondition (while in case of bai-sarf, it is.) A number of similar references exist which indicate that jurists do not classify an exchange of fals (thaman istalahi) for another fals (thaman istalahi) or gold or silver (thaman haqiqi), as bai-sarf. Hence, the exchanges of currencies of two different countries which can only qualify as thaman istalahi can not be categorized as bai-sarf. Nor can the constraint regarding spot settlement be imposed on such transactions. It should be noted here that the definition of bai-sarf is provided Fiqh literature and there is no mention of the same in the holy traditions. The traditions mention about riba, and the sale and purchase of gold and silver (naqdain) which may be a major source of riba, is described as bai-sarf by the Islamic jurists. It should also be noted that in Fiqh literature, bai-sarf implies exchange of gold or silver only whether these are currently being used as medium of exchange or not. Exchange involving dinars and gold ornaments, both quality as bai-sarf. Various jurists have sought to clarify this point and have defined sarf as that exchange in which both the commodities exchanged are in the nature of thaman, not necessarily thaman themselves. Hence, even when one of the commodities is processed gold (say, ornaments), such exchange is called bai-sarf. Proponents of the view that currency exchange should be treated in a manner similar to bai-sarf also derive support from writings of eminent Islamic jurists. According to Imam Ibn Taimiya anything that performs the functions of medium of exchange, unit of account, and store of value is called thaman, (not necessarily limited to gold amp silver). Similar references are available in the writings of Imam Ghazzali5 As far as the views of Imam Sarakhshi is concerned regarding exchange involving fals, according to them, some additional points need to be taken note of. In the early days of Islam, dinars and dirhams made of gold and silver were mostly used as medium of exchange in all major transactions. Only the minor ones were settled with fals. In other words, fals did not possess the characteristics of money or thamaniyya in full and was hardly used as store of value or unit of account and was more in the nature of commodity. Hence there was no restriction on purchase of the same for gold and silver on a deferred basis. The present day currencies have all the features of thaman and are meant to be thaman only. The exchange involving currencies of different countries is same as bai-sarf with difference of jins and hence, deferred settlement would lead to riba al-nasia. Dr Mohamed Nejatullah Siddiqui illustrates this possibility with an example6. He writes In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, if an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 purchased on credit at spot rate) Thus, sarf can be converted into interest-based borrowing amp lending. 2.1.3 Defining Thamaniyya is the Key It appears from the above synthesis of alternative views that the key issue seems to be a correct definition of thamaniyya. For instance, a fundamental question that leads to divergent positions on permissibility relates to whether thamaniyya is specific to gold and silver, or can be associated with anything that performs the functions of money. We raise some issues below which may be taken into account in any exercise in reconsideration of alternative positions. It should be appreciated that thamaniyya may not be absolute and may vary in degrees. It is true that paper currencies have completely replaced gold and silver as medium of exchange, unit of account and store of value. In this sense, paper currencies can be said to possess thamaniyya. However, this is true for domestic currencies only and may not be true for foreign currencies. In other words, Indian rupees possess thamaniyya within the geographical boundaries of India only, and do not have any acceptability in US. These cannot be said to possess thamaniyya in US unless a US citizen can use Indian rupees as a medium of exchange, or unit of account, or store of value. In most cases such a possibility is remote. This possibility is also a function of the exchange rate mechanism in place, such as, convertibility of Indian rupees into US dollars, and whether a fixed or floating exchange rate system is in place. For example, assuming free convertibility of Indian rupees into US dollars and vice versa, and a fixed exchange rate system in which the rupee-dollar exchange rate is not expected to increase or decrease in the foreseeable future, thamaniyya of rupee in US is considerably improved. The example cited by Dr Nejatullah Siddiqui also appears quite robust under the circumstances. Permission to exchange rupees for dollars on a deferred basis (from one end, of course) at a rate different from the spot rate (official rate which is likely to remain fixed till the date of settlement) would be a clear case of interest-based borrowing and lending. However, if the assumption of fixed exchange rate is relaxed and the present system of fluctuating and volatile exchange rates is assumed to be the case, then it can be shown that the case of riba al-nasia breaks down. We rewrite his example: In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, if an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 purchased on credit at spot rate) This would be so, only if the currency risk is non-existent (exchange rate remains at 1:20), or is borne by the seller of dollars (buyer repays in rupees and not in dollars). If the former is true, then the seller of the dollars (lender) receives a predetermined return of ten percent when he converts Rs1100 received on the maturity date into 55 (at an exchange rate of 1:20). However, if the latter is true, then the return to the seller (or the lender) is not predetermined. It need not even be positive. For example, if the rupee-dollar exchange rate increases to 1:25, then the seller of dollar would receive only 44 (Rs 1100 converted into dollars) for his investment of 50. Here two points are worth noting. First, when one assumes a fixed exchange rate regime, the distinction between currencies of different countries gets diluted. The situation becomes similar to exchanging pounds with sterlings (currencies belonging to the same country) at a fixed rate. Second, when one assumes a volatile exchange rate system, then just as one can visualize lending through the foreign currency market (mechanism suggested in the above example), one can also visualize lending through any other organized market (such as, for commodities or stocks.) If one replaces dollars for stocks in the above example, it would read as: In a given moment in time when the market price of stock X is Rs 20, if an individual purchases 50 stocks at the rate of Rs 22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 stocks purchased on credit at current price) In this case too as in the earlier example, returns to the seller of stocks may be negative if stock price rises to Rs 25 on the settlement date. Hence, just as returns in the stock market or commodity market are Islamically acceptable because of the price risk, so are returns in the currency market because of fluctuations in the prices of currencies. A unique feature of thaman haqiqi or gold and silver is that the intrinsic worth of the currency is equal to its face value. Thus, the question of different geographical boundaries within which a given currency, such as, dinar or dirham circulates, is completely irrelevant. Gold is gold whether in country A or country B. Thus, when currency of country A made of gold is exchanged for currency of country B, also made of gold, then any deviation of the exchange rate from unity or deferment of settlement by either party cannot be permitted as it would clearly involve riba al-fadl and also riba al-nasia. However, when paper currencies of country A is exchanged for paper currency of country B, the case may be entirely different. The price risk (exchange rate risk), if positive, would eliminate any possibility of riba al-nasia in the exchange with deferred settlement. However, if price risk (exchange rate risk) is zero, then such exchange could be a source of riba al-nasia if deferred settlement is permitted7. Another point that merits serious consideration is the possibility that certain currencies may possess thamaniyya, that is, used as a medium of exchange, unit of account, or store of value globally, within the domestic as well as foreign countries. For instance, US dollar is legal tender within US it is also acceptable as a medium of exchange or unit of account for a large volume of transactions across the globe. Thus, this specific currency may be said to possesses thamaniyya globally, in which case, jurists may impose the relevant injunctions on exchanges involving this specific currency to prevent riba al-nasia. The fact is that when a currency possesses thamaniyya globally, then economic units using this global currency as the medium of exchange, unit of account or store of value may not be concerned about risk arising from volatility of inter-country exchange rates. At the same time, it should be recognized that a large majority of currencies do not perform the functions of money except within their national boundaries where these are legal tender. Riba and risk cannot coexist in the same contract. The former connotes a possibility of returns with zero risk and cannot be earned through a market with positive price risk. As has been discussed above, the possibility of riba al-fadl or riba al-nasia may arise in exchange when gold or silver function as thaman or when the exchange involves paper currencies belonging to the same country or when the exchange involves currencies of different countries following a fixed exchange rate system. The last possibility is perhaps unIslamic8 since price or exchange rate of currencies should be allowed to fluctuate freely in line with changes in demand and supply and also because prices should reflect the intrinsic worth or purchasing power of currencies. The foreign currency markets of today are characterised by volatile exchange rates. The gains or losses made on any transaction in currencies of different countries, are justified by the risk borne by the parties to the contract. 2.1.4. Possibility of Riba with Futures and Forwards So far, we have discussed views on the permissibility of bai salam in currencies, that is, when the obligation of only one of the parties to the exchange is deferred. What are the views of scholars on deferment of obligations of both parties. Typical example of such contracts are forwards and futures9. According to a large majority of scholars, this is not permissible on various grounds, the most important being the element of risk and uncertainty (gharar) and the possibility of speculation of a kind which is not permissible. This is discussed in section 3. However, another ground for rejecting such contracts may be riba prohibition. In the preceding paragraph we have discussed that bai salam in currencies with fluctuating exchange rates can not be used to earn riba because of the presence of currency risk. It is possible to demonstrate that currency risk can be hedged or reduced to zero with another forward contract transacted simultaneously. And once risk is eliminated, the gain clearly would be riba. We modify and rewrite the same example: In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation in rupees deferred to a future date), and the seller of dollars also hedges his position by entering into a forward contract to sell Rs1100 to be received on the future date at a rate of 1:20, then it is highly probable that he is. in fact, borrowing Rs. 1000 now in lieu of a promise to repay Rs. 1100 on a specified later date. (Since, he can obtain Rs 1000 now, exchanging the 50 dollars purchased on credit at spot rate) The seller of the dollars (lender) receives a predetermined return of ten percent when he converts Rs1100 received on the maturity date into 55 dollars (at an exchange rate of 1:20) for his investment of 50 dollars irrespective of the market rate of exchange prevailing on the date of maturity. Another simple possible way to earn riba may even involve a spot transaction and a simultaneous forward transaction. For example, the individual in the above example purchases 50 on a spot basis at the rate of 1:20 and simultaneously enters into a forward contract with the same party to sell 50 at the rate of 1:21 after one month. In effect this implies that he is lending Rs1000 now to the seller of dollars for one month and earns an interest of Rs50 (he receives Rs1050 after one month. This is a typical buy-back or repo (repurchase) transaction so common in conventional banking.10 3. The Issue of Freedom from Gharar Gharar, unlike riba, does not have a consensus definition. In broad terms, it connotes risk and uncertainty. It is useful to view gharar as a continuum of risk and uncertainty wherein the extreme point of zero risk is the only point that is well-defined. Beyond this point, gharar becomes a variable and the gharar involved in a real life contract would lie somewhere on this continuum. Beyond a point on this continuum, risk and uncertainty or gharar becomes unacceptable11. Jurists have attempted to identify such situations involving forbidden gharar. A major factor that contributes to gharar is inadequate information (jahl) which increases uncertainty. This is when the terms of exchange, such as, price, objects of exchange, time of settlement etc. are not well-defined. Gharar is also defined in terms of settlement risk or the uncertainty surrounding delivery of the exchanged articles. Islamic scholars have identified the conditions which make a contract uncertain to the extent that it is forbidden. Each party to the contract must be clear as to the quantity, specification, price, time, and place of delivery of the contract. A contract, say, to sell fish in the river involves uncertainty about the subject of exchange, about its delivery, and hence, not Islamically permissible. The need to eliminate any element of uncertainty inherent in a contract is underscored by a number of traditions.12 An outcome of excessive gharar or uncertainty is that it leads to the possibility of speculation of a variety which is forbidden. Speculation in its worst form, is gambling. The holy Quran and the traditions of the holy prophet explicitly prohibit gains made from games of chance which involve unearned income. The term used for gambling is maisir which literally means getting something too easily, getting a profit without working for it. Apart from pure games of chance, the holy prophet also forbade actions which generated unearned incomes without much productive efforts.13 Here it may be noted that the term speculation has different connotations. It always involves an attempt to predict the future outcome of an event. But the process may or may not be backed by collection, analysis and interpretation of relevant information. The former case is very much in conformity with Islamic rationality. An Islamic economic unit is required to assume risk after making a proper assessment of risk with the help of information. All business decisions involve speculation in this sense. It is only in the absence of information or under conditions of excessive gharar or uncertainty that speculation is akin to a game of chance and is reprehensible. 3.2 Gharar amp Speculation with of Futures amp Forwards Considering the case of the basic exchange contracts highlighted in section 1, it may be noted that the third type of contract where settlement by both the parties is deferred to a future date is forbidden, according to a large majority of jurists on grounds of excessive gharar. Futures and forwards in currencies are examples of such contracts under which two parties become obliged to exchange currencies of two different countries at a known rate at the end of a known time period. For example, individuals A and B commit to exchange US dollars and Indian rupees at the rate of 1: 22 after one month. If the amount involved is 50 and A is the buyer of dollars then, the obligations of A and B are to make a payments of Rs1100 and 50 respectively at the end of one month. The contract is settled when both the parties honour their obligations on the future date. Traditionally, an overwhelming majority of Sharia scholars have disapproved such contracts on several grounds. The prohibition applies to all such contracts where the obligations of both parties are deferred to a future date, including contracts involving exchange of currencies. An important objection is that such a contract involves sale of a non-existent object or of an object not in the possession of the seller. This objection is based on several traditions of the holy prophet.14 There is difference of opinion on whether the prohibition in the said traditions apply to foodstuffs, or perishable commodities or to all objects of sale. There is, however, a general agreement on the view that the efficient cause (illa) of the prohibition of sale of an object which the seller does not own or of sale prior to taking possession is gharar, or the possible failure to deliver the goods purchased. Is this efficient cause (illa) present in an exchange involving future contracts in currencies of different countries. In a market with full and free convertibility or no constraints on the supply of currencies, the probability of failure to deliver the same on the maturity date should be no cause for concern. Further, the standardized nature of futures contracts and transparent operating procedures on the organized futures markets15 is believed to minimize this probability. Some recent scholars have opined in the light of the above that futures, in general, should be permissible. According to them, the efficient cause (illa), that is, the probability of failure to deliver was quite relevant in a simple, primitive and unorganized market. It is no longer relevant in the organized futures markets of today16. Such contention, however, continues to be rejected by the majority of scholars. They underscore the fact that futures contracts almost never involve delivery by both parties. On the contrary, parties to the contract reverse the transaction and the contract is settled in price difference only. For example, in the above example, if the currency exchange rate changes to 1: 23 on the maturity date, the reverse transaction for individual A would mean selling 50 at the rate of 1:23 to individual B. This would imply A making a gain of Rs50 (the difference between Rs1150 and Rs1100). This is exactly what B would lose. It may so happen that the exchange rate would change to 1:21 in which case A would lose Rs50 which is what B would gain. This obviously is a zero-sum game in which the gain of one party is exactly equal to the loss of the other. This possibility of gains or losses (which theoretically can touch infinity) encourages economic units to speculate on the future direction of exchange rates. Since exchange rates fluctuate randomly, gains and losses are random too and the game is reduced to a game of chance. There is a vast body of literature on the forecastability of exchange rates and a large majority of empirical studies have provided supporting evidence on the futility of any attempt to make short-run predictions. Exchange rates are volatile and remain unpredictable at least for the large majority of market participants. Needless to say, any attempt to speculate in the hope of the theoretically infinite gains is, in all likelihood, a game of chance for such participants. While the gains, if they materialize, are in the nature of maisir or unearned gains, the possibility of equally massive losses do indicate a possibility of default by the loser and hence, gharar. 3.3. Risk Management in Volatile Markets Hedging or risk reduction adds to planning and managerial efficiency. The economic justification of futures and forwards is in term of their role as a device for hedging. In the context of currency markets which are characterized by volatile rates, such contracts are believed to enable the parties to transfer and eliminate risk arising out of such fluctuations. For example, modifying the earlier example, assume that individual A is an exporter from India to US who has already sold some commodities to B, the US importer and anticipates a cashflow of 50 (which at the current market rate of 1:22 mean Rs 1100 to him) after one month. There is a possibility that US dollar may depreciate against Indian rupee during these one month, in which case A would realize less amount of rupees for his 50 ( if the new rate is 1:21, A would realize only Rs1050 ). Hence, A may enter into a forward or future contract to sell 50 at the rate of 1:21.5 at the end of one month (and thereby, realize Rs1075) with any counterparty which, in all probability, would have diametrically opposite expectations regarding future direction of exchange rates. In this case, A is able to hedge his position and at the same time, forgoes the opportunity of making a gain if his expectations do not materialize and US dollar appreciates against Indian rupee (say, to 1:23 which implies that he would have realized Rs1150, and not Rs1075 which he would realize now.) While hedging tools always improve planning and hence, performance, it should be noted that the intention of the contracting party whether to hedge or to speculate, can never be ascertained. It may be noted that hedging can also be accomplished with bai salam in currencies. As in the above example, exporter A anticipating a cash inflow of 50 after one month and expecting a depreciation of dollar may go for a salam sale of 50 (with his obligation to pay 50 deferred by one month.) Since he is expecting a dollar depreciation, he may agree to sell 50 at the rate of 1: 21.5. There would be an immediate cash inflow in Rs 1075 for him. The question may be, why should the counterparty pay him rupees now in lieu of a promise to be repaid in dollars after one month. As in the case of futures, the counterparty would do so for profit, if its expectations are diametrically opposite, that is, it expects dollar to appreciate. For example, if dollar appreciates to 1: 23 during the one month period, then it would receive Rs1150 for Rs 1075 it invested in the purchase of 50. Thus, while A is able to hedge its position, the counterparty is able to earn a profit on trading of currencies. The difference from the earlier scenario is that the counterparty would be more restrained in trading because of the investment required, and such trading is unlikely to take the shape of rampant speculation. 4. Summary amp Conclusion Currency markets of today are characterized by volatile exchange rates. This fact should be taken note of in any analysis of the three basic types of contracts in which the basis of distinction is the possibility of deferment of obligations to future. We have attempted an assessment of these forms of contracting in terms of the overwhelming need to eliminate any possibility of riba, minimize gharar, jahl and the possibility of speculation of a kind akin to games of chance. In a volatile market, the participants are exposed to currency risk and Islamic rationality requires that such risk should be minimized in the interest of efficiency if not reduced to zero. It is obvious that spot settlement of the obligations of both parties would completely prohibit riba, and gharar, and minimize the possibility of speculation. However, this would also imply the absence of any technique of risk management and may involve some practical problems for the participants. At the other extreme, if the obligations of both the parties are deferred to a future date, then such contracting, in all likelihood, would open up the possibility of infinite unearned gains and losses from what may be rightly termed for the majority of participants as games of chance. Of course, these would also enable the participants to manage risk through complete risk transfer to others and reduce risk to zero. It is this possibility of risk reduction to zero which may enable a participant to earn riba. Future is not a new form of contract. Rather the justification for proscribing it is new. If in a simple primitive economy, it was prevention of gharar relating to delivery of the exchanged article, in todays complex financial system and organized exchanges, it is prevention of speculation of kind which is unIslamic and which is possible under excessive gharar involved in forecasting highly volatile exchange rates. Such speculation is not just a possibility, but a reality. The precise motive of an economic unit entering into a future contract speculation or hedging may not ascertainable ( regulators may monitor end use, but such regulation may not be very practical, nor effective in a free market). Empirical evidence at a macro level, however, indicates the former to be the dominant motive. The second type of contracting with deferment of obligations of one of the parties to a future date falls between the two extremes. While Sharia scholars have divergent views about its permissibility, our analysis reveals that there is no possibility of earning riba with this kind of contracting. The requirement of spot settlement of obligations of atleast one party imposes a natural curb on speculation, though the room for speculation is greater than under the first form of contracting. The requirement amounts to imposition of a hundred percent margin which, in all probability, would drive away the uninformed speculator from the market. This should force the speculator to be a little more sure of his expectations by being more informed. When speculation is based on information it is not only permissible, but desirable too. Bai salam would also enable the participants to manage risk. At the same time, the requirement of settlement from one end would dampen the tendency of many participants to seek a complete transfer of perceived risk and encourage them to make a realistic assessment of the actual risk. Notes amp References 1. These diverse views are reflected in the papers presented at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar organized by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, India in 1991 which were subsequently published in Majalla Fiqh Islami, part 4 by the Academy. The discussion on riba prohibition draws on these views. 2. Nabil Saleh, Unlawful gain and Legitimate Profit in Islamic Law, Graham and Trotman, London, 1992, p.16 3. Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni, vol.4, pp.5-9 4. Shams al Din al Sarakhsi, al-Mabsut, vol 14, pp 24-25 5. Paper presented by Abdul Azim Islahi at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar organized by Islamic Fiqh Academy, India in 1991. 6. Paper by Dr M N Siddiqui highlighting the issue was circulated among all leading Fiqh scholars by the Islamic Fiqh Academy, India for their views and was the main theme of deliberations during the session on Currency Exchange at the Fourth Fiqh Seminar held in 1991. 7. It is contended by some that the above example may be modified to show the possibility of riba with spot settlement too. In a given moment in time when the market rate of exchange between dollar and rupee is 1:20, if an individual purchases 50 at the rate of 1:22 (settlement of his obligation also on a spot basis), then it amounts to the seller of dollars exchanging 50 with 55 on a spot basis (Since, he can obtain Rs 1100 now, exchange them for 55 at spot rate of 1:20) Thus, spot settlement can also be a clear source of riba. Does this imply that spot settlement should be proscribed too. The fallacy in the above and earlier examples is that there is no single contract but multiple contracts of exchange occurring at different points in time (true even in the above case). Riba can be earned only when the spot rate of 1:20 is fixed during the time interval between the transactions. This assumption is, needless to say, unrealistic and if imposed artificially, perhaps unIslamic. 8. Islam envisages a free market where prices are determined by forces of demand and supply. There should be no interference in the price formation process even by the regulators. While price control and fixation is generally accepted as unIslamic, some scholars, such as, Ibn Taimiya do admit of its permissibility. However, such permissibility is subject to the condition that price fixation is intended to combat cases of market anomalies caused by impairing the conditions of free competition. If market conditions are normal, forces of demand and supply should be allowed a free play in determination of prices. 9. Some Islamic scholars use the term forward to connote a salam sale. However, we use this term in the conventional sense where the obligations of both parties are deferred to a future date and hence, are similar to futures in this sense. The latter however, are standardized contracts and are traded on an organized Futures Exchange while the former are specific to the requirements of the buyer and seller. 10. This is known as bai al inah which is considered forbidden by almost all scholars with the exception of Imam Shafii. Followers of the same school, such as Al Nawawi do not consider it Islamically permissible. 11. It should be noted that modern finance theories also distinguish between conditions of risk and uncertainty and assert that rational decision making is possible only under conditions of risk and not under conditions of uncertainty. Conditions of risk refer to a situation where it is possible with the help of available data to estimate all possible outcomes and their corresponding probabilities, or develop the ex-ante probability distribution. Under conditions of uncertainty, no such exercise is possible. The definition of gharar, Real-life situations, of course, fall somewhere in the continuum of risk and uncertainty. 12. The following traditions underscore the need to avoid contracts involving uncertainty. Ibn Abbas reported that when Allahs prophet (pbuh) came to Medina, they were paying one and two years advance for fruits, so he said: Those who pay in advance for any thing must do so for a specified weight and for a definite time. It is reported on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) forbade the transaction called habal al-habala whereby a man bought a she-camel which was to be the off-spring of a she-camel and which was still in its mothers womb. 13. According to a tradition reported by Abu Huraira, Allahs Messenger (pbuh) forbade a transaction determined by throwing stones, and the type which involves some uncertainty. The form of gambling most popular to Arabs was gambling by casting lots by means of arrows, on the principle of lottery, for division of carcass of slaughtered animals. The carcass was divided into unequal parts and marked arrows were drawn from a bag. One received a large or small share depending on the mark on the arrow drawn. Obviously it was a pure game of chance. 14. The holy prophet is reported to have said Do not sell what is not with you Ibn Abbas reported that the prophet said: He who buys foodstuff should not sell it until he has taken possession of it. Ibn Abbas said: I think it applies to all other things as well. 15. The Futures Exchange performs an important function of providing a guarantee for delivery by all parties to the contract. It serves as the counterparty in the exchange for both, that is, as the buyer for the sale and as the seller for the purchase. 16. M Hashim Kamali Islamic Commercial Law: An Analysis of Futures, The American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences, vol.13, no.2, 1996 Dalam bukunya Prof. Drs. Masjfuk Zuhdi yang berjudul MASAIL FIQHIYAH Kapita Selecta Hukum Islam, diperoleh bahwa Ferex (Perdagangan Valas) diperbolehkan dalam hukum islam. Perdagangan valuta asing timbul karena adanya perdagangan barang-barang kebutuhan / komoditi antar negara yang bersifat internasional. Perdagangan (Ekspor-Impor) ini tentu memerlukan ALAT bayar yaitu Uang yang-Masing Masing negara mempunyai ketentuan sendiri dan berbeda satu sama lainnya sesuai dengan penawaran dan permintaan diantara negara-negara tersebut sehingga en relieve PERBANDINGAN Nilai MATA Uang antar negara. Perbandingan nilai mata uang antar negara terkumpul dalam suatu BURSA atau PASAR yang bersifat internasional dan terikat dalam suatu kesepakatan bersama yang saling menguntungkan. Nilai mata uang suatu negara dengan negara lainnya ini berubah (berluktuasi) setiap saat sesuai volumen permintaan dan penawarannya. Adanya permintaan dan penawil inilah yang menimbulkan transaksi mata uang. Yang secara nyata hanyalah tukar-menukar mata uang yang berbeda nilai. HUKUM ISLAM dalam TRANSAKSI VALAS 1. Ada Ijab-Qobul: 8212gt Ada perjanjian untuk memberi dan menerima Penjual menyerahkan barang dan pembeli membayar tunai. Ijab-Qobulnya dilakukan dengan lisan, tulisan dan utusan. Pembeli dan penjual mempunyai wewenang penuh melaksanakan dan melakukan tindakan-tindakan hukum (dewasa dan berpikiran sehat) 2. Memenuhi syarat menjadi objek transaksi jual-beli yaitu: Suci barangnya (bukan najis) Dapat dimanfaatkan Dapat diserahterimakan Jelas barang dan harganya Dijual (dibeli) oleh pemiliknya sendiri atau kuasanya atas izin pemiliknya Barang sudah berada ditangannya jika barangnya diperoleh dengan imbalan. Perlu ditambahkan pendapat Muhammad Isa, bahwa jual beli salam itu diperbolehkan dalam agama. 8220Jangan kamu membeli el aire de la mano, karena sesungguhnya jual beli yang demikian itu mengandung penipuan8221. (Hadis Ahmad bin Hambal dan Al Baihaqi dari Ibnu Mas8217ud) Jual beli barang yang tidak di tempat transaksi diperbolehkan dengan syarat harus diterangkán sifat-sifatnya atau ciri-cirinya. Kemudiano jika barang sesuai dengan keterangán penjual, maka sahlah jual belinya. Tetapi jika tidak sesuai maka pembeli mempunyai hak khiyar . artinya boleh meneruskan atau membatalkan jual belinya. Hal ini sesuai dengan hadis Nabi riwayat Al Daraquthni dari Abu Hurairah: 8220Barang siapa yang membeli sesuatu yang ia tidak melihatnya, maka ia berhak khiyar jika ia telah melihatnya8221. Jual beli hasil tanam yang terpendam masih, ketela seperti, kentang, Bawang dan sebagainya juga diperbolehkan, asal diberi contohnya, karena Akan mengalami kesulitan atau kerugian jika Harus mengeluarkan semua hasil tanaman yang terpendam Untuk dijual. Hal ini sesuai dengan kaidah hukum Islam: Kesulitan itu menarik kemudahan. Demikian juga jual beli barang-barang yang telah terbungkus / tertutup, seperti makanan kalengan, LPG, sebagainya dan, asalkam diberi etiqueta yang menerangkan isinya. Vide Sabiq, op. Cit. Hal 135. Mengenai teks kaidah hukum Islam tersebut di atas, vide Al Suyuthi, Al-Asbah al-Nadzair, Mesir, Mustafa Muhammad, 1936 hal. 55. JUAL BELI VALUTA QUE ASA DAN SAHAM Yang dimaksud dengan el valor adalah mata uang luar negeri seperi dolar Amerika, libra esterlina Inggris, ringgit Malasia dan sebagainya. Apabila antara negara terjadi perdagangan internasional maka tiap negara membutuhkan valuta asing untuk alat bayar luar negeri yang dalam dunia perdagangan disebut devisa. Misalnya eksportir Indonesia akan memperoleh idee dari hasil ekspornya, sebaliknya importir Indonesia memerlukan devisa untuk mengimpor dari luar negeri. Dengan demikian akan timbul península perminataan di bursa valuta asing. Setiap, negara, berwenang, penuh, menetapkan, kurs, masing-masing (kurs adalah, perbandingan, nilai uangnya, terhadap, mata uang asing) Misalnya 1 dolar Amerika Rp. 12.000. Namun kurs uang atau perbandingan nilai tukar setiap saat bisa berubah-ubah, tergantung pada kekuatan ekonomi negara masing-masing. Pencatatan kurs uang dan transaksi jual beli valuta asing diselenggarakan di Bursa Valuta Asing (A. W. J. Tupanno, et. al. Ekonomi dan Koperasi, Jakarta, Depdikbud 1982, hal 76-77) Like this: