Dīnār (دينار)
Definition and Description
Dīnār (Arabic: دينار), transliterated as “dīnār,” is historically recognized as a gold coin of significant value used across various Islamic and pre-Islamic cultures. The weight of the dīnār is approximately one misqāl, or ninety-six barley grains, making it worth about ten British shillings during the historical times in question.
Etymology and Origins
The term “dīnār” has its roots in the Greek word δηνάριον (denárion), pointing to a cross-cultural exchange and the influence of Roman economic practices on early Islamic commerce. According to historical accounts and Mr. Hussey in “Ancient Weights”, the Roman denarii at the end of the Commonwealth weighed around sixty grains, a comparison point for the dīnār’s weight.
Qur’anic Mention and Legal Use
The dīnār is mentioned only once in the Qur’an, in Surah Al-Imran (formerly Surah Al-Baqarah), verse 75: “And some of them, if you entrust them with a dīnār, they will not return it to you unless you keep standing over them.” This usage underscores its significance in the economic and social transactions of early Islamic communities.
Historical and Cultural Context
The dīnār frequently appears in classical Islamic legal texts and historical records. For instance, Mr. Lane’s Arabic-English Lexicon quotes the weight of the dīnār in relation to barley-corns and wheat-grains, equating it nearly to seventy-one and a half barley-corns, or otherwise to a misqāl. Both the Roman origins and utilization in early Islamic law highlight its important role in economic practices.
Examples of Historical Dīnār
- A Gold Dīnār of Heraclius (A.D. 621): This example weighs sixty grains and represents the dīnār’s penetration into Byzantine territory.
- A Gold Dīnār from the City of Ghazni (A.H. 616): This coin signifies the dīnār’s spread into the Islamic East.
Suggested Books for Further Study
- “Ancient Weights and Measures” by R.D. Hussey - covers the historical context of various weights and coins, including the dīnār.
- “Arabic-English Lexicon” by Edward William Lane - provides detailed descriptions of Arabic terms and their significance.
- “History of Islamic Spain” by Antony Khan - useful for understanding the socio-economic context of the dīnār particularly in the Andalusian region.
Takeaways and Conclusion
The dīnār exemplifies the blend of economic, cultural, and religious influences that shaped early Islamic societies. As a unit of currency, its significance is not merely in exchange but in the encapsulation of historical interconnections between Rome, Byzantium, and the Islamic world. While sparsely mentioned in the Qur’an, its presence in legal and historical texts provides invaluable insights into Islamic economic history.
Understanding the dīnār gives a glimpse into the sophistication of early Islamic finance and law, highlighting the pivotal role of currency in fostering cross-cultural interactions and building the foundational economic structures of early Muslim societies.
