لین دین کے قدیم و جدید ذرائع کا فقہی جائزہ

Abstract

The history and necessity of currency trace back to the dawn of human civilization. Humans initially engaged in various forms of exchange, including barter, commodity systems, and metal-based transactions. Barter, the direct exchange of goods, was followed by the Commodity System, where specific items served as mediums of exchange. Subsequently, metal coins became a prevalent mode of transaction known as the Metal System. While this facilitated trade, it also posed challenges. To address these challenges, the transition from physical commodities to symbolic representations of value occurred, leading to the advent of paper currency. Muslim Scholars had widely acknowledged the legitimacy of these historical forms of exchange. However, in 1971, when paper currency detached from tangible assets like gold and silver, diverse opinions surfaced among Muslim scholars regarding its Shariah standing. In contemporary times, credit cards and digital currencies have gained prominence as alternative mediums of exchange. The Shariah status of these modern methods is a subject of ongoing discourse among scholars. This article explores the historical evolution and Shariah perspectives surrounding both traditional and contemporary forms of currency, providing insights into the multifaceted landscape of exchange systems.