Money Laundering in the Light of Prophetic Hadith: A Thematic (Mawḍūʿī) Study of Contemporary Financial Crime

Abstract

This study examines the perspective of Hadith on money laundering as a form of modern financial crime and explores its prevention and mitigation within the framework of Islamic teachings. The research employs a thematic Hadith (ḥadīth mawḍū‘ī) approach combined with the method of Hadith interpretation (sharḥ al-ḥadīth) and is further enriched by the analytical framework of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah. Primary data were obtained from authoritative Hadith collections, while secondary data were drawn from books, scholarly journals, regulations, and other relevant literature. Data were collected through documentation studies and analyzed using a descriptive-analytical method. The findings reveal that although the term “money laundering” was not known during the Prophet’s era, several Hadiths prohibiting unlawful acquisition of wealth, the use of illicit property, fraud, and actions causing harm to oneself or others are closely related to contemporary money laundering practices. Such activities violate the Islamic principles of justice, honesty, and the protection of wealth, and therefore may be classified as jarīmah ta‘zīr in Islamic criminal law. The study concludes that effective prevention of money laundering requires strengthening faith-based values (tawḥīd), moral education, legal awareness, and fair law enforcement to achieve maṣlaḥah and safeguard wealth from practices that threaten social and economic well-being.