Fintech-Driven Inclusion: Ethical Challenges and Digital Opportunities in Islamic Financial Transformation

Abstract

Islamic finance continues to grow globally, yet financial exclusion persists among Muslim populations due to structural and ethical barriers in conventional banking. This paper examines how fintech innovations can enhance inklusif keuangan Islam (Islamic financial inclusion) while remaining aligned with syarī‘ah principles. Drawing on a conceptual and theoretical framework grounded in maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah, the study analyzes key technologies—blockchain, AI, RegTech, and mobile finance—and their relevance to syarī‘ah-compliant services. Using qualitative, document-based methods from scholarly literature and Islamic economics, the research evaluates how these technologies support or challenge the goals of justice, transparency, and trust in Islamic finance. The findings reveal that fintech offers scalable and ethically promising solutions for financial access, but they also require regulatory harmonization, ethical data governance, and greater financial literacy. The paper provides a novel synthesis between classical Islamic doctrines and modern technological paradigms, offering a roadmap for ethical innovation and inclusive finance. This work is aimed at scholars, regulators, and fintech developers seeking to align technological transformation with Islamic ethical imperatives and institutional frameworks.