According to Maliki school, it is a trade or exchange of money for money (coins for coins) of the same type (same currency) and weight. Examples include trade of gold for gold and silver for silver based on weight (wazn): both exchanged items are of the same weight, irrespective of the number of units on the two sides of the exchange. In other words, the exchange (al-muratalah) of 10 gold dinars for 11 gold dinars with both lots being equal in weight is a valid trade under shari’ah.

Al-muratalah (In Arabic script: المراطلة) is derived from the root “ratl” (a measure of weight).