Faith groups have a long history of incorporating values into financial decision-making. For thousands of years, the world’s major faiths have included instructions on how to carry out business in an ethical manner, and the modern ethical finance movement has its roots in religious investment funds seeking to exclude weapons manufacturers from their portfolios in the 1970s. The Pax World Fund, launched in 1971 by Methodists in reaction to the Vietnam War, is still active today and known as Impax Funds.
In 2018, the Edinburgh Finance Declaration was launched by UKIFC in collaboration with GEFI and the Church of Scotland after a three-year dialogue. The Edinburgh Finance Declaration is a ray of hope in a world where economic systems frequently put financial gain ahead of morality. By working together, these institutions strive to promote financial integrity, responsible investment, and economic justice.
In this article, we look at the six shared values in operation in both Islam and Christianity which the Declaration identifies as providing an ethical framework. They are – Stewardship, Love of the Neighbour, Human Flourishing, Sustainability & Purposefulness, Justice & Equity and the Common Good.
Stewardship
Both religions place an emphasis on stewardship which implies that the money we possess ultimately belongs to God and is to be spent in accordance with righteous moral standards, with investments made with the welfare of humanity in mind. In the Holy Quran (Q2:30), human beings have been appointed as vicegerents on earth and Genesis 1.26- 27 has a similar provision.
Love of the Neighbour
It suggests a sense of social duty and a dedication to advancing others’ well-being, rather than just expressing love or other forms of connection. It was reported by a companion of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (p.b.u.h) said: “Jibra’il kept enjoining good treatment of neighbours until I thought he would make neighbours heirs.” Loving one’s neighbour is also mentioned in Matthew 22:34-40. This concept helps to develop empathy, kindness, and care for other people.
Human Flourishing
It refers to a person’s condition of maximum well-being and development, during which time they are experiencing personal growth, fulfilment, and potential realisation not just for themselves but for the overall good. Additionally, it entails the capacity to completely embody the virtues of charity, compassion, and justice within a society through not only the advancement of commerce but also one that is mindful of the needs of all.
Sustainability and Purposefulness
The idea of stewardship means that human beings must take responsibility to manage the available resources and use them efficiently. Sustainability and environmental stewardship are frequently values that cross religious boundaries. By working together, religious groups can influence the financial sector to support initiatives that put focus on renewable energy, environmental protection, and ethical business practices.
Justice and Equity
Justice, equality, and compassion are values that are emphasized in both religious traditions. There can be cooperation in the financial sector to combat systematic injustices, poverty, and marginalisation. As a result of his concern for the extreme poverty of his parishioners, Rev. Henry Duncan founded the first savings bank – Ruthwell Parish Savings Bank in 1810 with the intention of promoting saving among the working class and protecting them from the degrading effects of poor relief. Interestingly, Mit Ghamr established the first Islamic bank on his model. Although both banks were short-lived, they were foundations for the recent banking models.
Common Good
This shapes how followers interact with and give back to their communities and the larger world, guiding their personal behaviour and informing both religions’ ethical teachings. This underscores the requirement to pay zakat. It is the third pillar of Islam which mandates that Muslims donate 2.5 per cent of their qualified wealth each year to support Muslims who are in need. Although voluntary, the idea of paying tithes in Christianity can be linked to this.
In conclusion, by working together, these institutions strive to promote financial integrity, responsible investment, and economic justice. The partnership between UK Islamic Finance Council (UKIFC) and the Church of Scotland serves as a model for interfaith cooperation and demonstrates the potential for transformative change within the community.
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