A Meta-Synthesis of the Determining Components of Islamic Financial Literacy in the Iranian Banking System

Purpose — This study aims to identify and conceptualize the key components of Islamic financial literacy (IFL) within Iran’s banking system, recognizing its growing importance in enabling individuals and institutions to make Shariah-compliant financial decisions, minimize Shariah non-compliance risk, and navigate the complexities of the global financial environment.

Design/Methodology/Approach — Adopting a qualitative meta-synthesis and content analysis design, the study systematically reviewed literature indexed in Scopus and Web of Science from 2000 to 2025, supplemented with domestic regulatory documents issued by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. From an initial pool of 339 studies, a three-stage screening process yielded 46 valid sources, which were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA 2020 software.

Findings — The results introduce a localized, three-dimensional framework of Islamic financial literacy, encompassing Islamic financial knowledge, Islamic financial attitude, and Islamic financial behavior—each consisting of eight codes, totaling 24 key components. These components include familiarity with Islamic financial concepts and contracts (riba, mudarabah, murabahah), the ability to distinguish halal from haram transactions, understanding of jurisprudential principles (gharar, la darar, akl al-mal bil-batil), and awareness of the linkage between financing, real assets, and ethical as well as regulatory requirements.

Originality/Value — This research is the first systematic meta-synthesis in the Iranian context integrating international literature with domestic Shariah governance documents. It presents a theoretical–practical framework that can inform policy development, educational initiatives, and Islamic banking practices aimed at strengthening financial literacy in a Shariah-compliant context.