On Islamization of Hicksian Synthesis: Stability and Consistency of an Islamic IS-LM Framework

The IS-LM framework was a result of Hickian synthesis. Hicks (1937) merged the Keynesian and Classical macro models in a context of a general equilibrium framework. This analytical frame was rapidly became a standard apparatus to examine the monetary and fiscal policy. In order to teach and analyze macroeconomic policy with an Islamic perspective, many Muslim researchers have developed their own version of Islamic IS-LM framework. Those who have tried to do Islamization of IS-LM model have eliminated interest rate from this framework and replaced it with either the financiers (capital owner) share in the profits of the firms or expected rate of profit. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the stability and consistency of Islamic models with an IS-ML structure. It shows that the Islamization of this framework would not resolve the possible instability of the IS-LM models. An unstable Islamic IS-LM model may in turn result in inconsistent aggregate demand and aggregate supply (IS-LM-AS) framework. More specifically, when the system is not stable, it is not possible to derive a standard aggregate demand and hence one cannot predict the effect of monetary and fiscal policy. Our finding suggests that the Muslim researchers should be more caution when applying this framework to Islamic economics. Otherwise, the shortcomings and weaknesses of this Hicksian analytical tool can be easily transferred to an interest-free IS-LM model built upon it.