Corruption: delving into the muddy water through the lens of Islam
| Pages | 139-147 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/13590791311322337 |
| Date | 03 May 2013 |
| Published date | 03 May 2013 |
| Author | Siti Faridah Abdul Jabbar |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & finance |
Corruption: delving into
the muddy water through
the lens of Islam
Siti Faridah Abdul Jabbar
School of Accounting, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine corruption from the perspective of Islam.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a critical analysis of the primary
sources of Islamic law and extant literature.
Findings – In Islam, corruption is vehemently condemned; the meaning and scope of corruption is
wide; and Islamic internal constraint is a significant tool against corruption.
Practical implications – The paper suggests a manner by which Muslim countries may effectively
combat corruption.
Originality/value – This paper contributes to a discourse on corruption from an Islamic perspective,
which is currently lacking.
Keywords Corruption, Islam
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
A significant number of Muslim countries occupy the bottom of the Transparency
International Corruption Perceptions Index[1]. While at the one end there may be some
who hastily put the blame on religious influence for this predicament, at the other there
may be others who try to empathise with the misfortune by linking it to factors such as
lower income and educational levels of the majority of the Muslim population[2]. While
it is not the aim of this paper to uphold or refute any of the sentiments, it does, however,
begin by examining Islam’s stance on corruption. Next, it analyses the meaning and
scope of corruption in Islam and finally discusses the significant role that Islam can
play in combating corruption.
Islam’s stance on corruption
Islam vehemently condemns corruption and fervently prohibits its followers from
indulging in the moral sin. This is evident from the numerous verses in the Qur’an
(holy book for Muslims) and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (sayings, conducts
and implied approvals of the Prophet that are reported as Hadith), which constitute the
primary sources of Shari’ah (Islamic law). One such example from the Qu’ran is Surah
Al-Baqarah (2), verse 188, which is translated thus:
[...] and do not consume one another’s property unjustly nor give bribery to the rulers so that
they might aid you to consume a portion of the property of others sinfully, while you know
[it is unlawful].
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1359-0790.htm
This paper is one of the research outputs funded by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s
UKM-GGPM-CMNB-005-2011.
Journal of Financial Crime
Vol. 20 No. 2, 2013
pp. 139-147
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1359-0790
DOI 10.1108/13590791311322337
Through the
lens of Islam
139
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