In its general meaning, mu’amalat (معاملات) denotes transactions, dealings or deals, trades, etc. It covers all economic transactions and activities (including commercial, financial, banking, etc.) such as ba’i, ijarah, istisna’a, salam, murabaha, mudaraba, istithmar, deposits and investment accounts, etc.

Muamalat are the subject of a branch of fiqh (fiqh al-muamalat) that covers the rulings (ahkam) defining and governing the relationship between humans, i.e., their financial rights and obligations towards each other.