Paper Currency in the Fiqh of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sa‘di: A Study of His Juristic Reasoning and Methodology

Abstract

Islamic Shariah is distinguished by its well-established principles and comprehensive legal maxims, which enable qualified scholars to address emerging issues in light of the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the objectives and principles of Shariah. Among such contemporary issues was paper currency, which required juristic characterization and clarification of its legal rulings. Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Sa‘di addressed this issue through two successive opinions. Initially, he regarded paper currency as a substitute for gold and silver and therefore subject to the same rulings. He later revised his view and ultimately classified it with fulus (base-metal currency), holding that riba al-nasi’ah applies to it, whereas riba al-fadl does not. This study collects al-Sa‘di’s discussions from his books, treatises, fatwas, and legal responses, identifies the chronological development of his two opinions, examines his methodology in addressing this issue, and briefly compares his position with those of contemporary scholars. It recommends further study of al-Sa‘di’s juristic methodology, scholarly skills, and use of juristic debates and their role in developing legal reasoning.