A Critique of Creative Shari'ah Compliance in the Islamic Finance Industry


Book Description

Ahmad Alkhamees defines Creative Shari‘ah compliance as compliance with the letter but not the objectives of Shari‘ah. In recent years, Islamic finance industry practises have come under scrutiny, with strong critiques levelled against many institutions that claim to provide Shari‘ah-compliant products and services, which in fact undermine the spirit and the objectives of Shari‘ah. This book significantly contributes to the sphere of Islamic finance in three main ways. First, it critically appraises justifications of creative Shari‘ah compliance practises. Second, it examines how Shari‘ah supervisory board (SSB) governance practises, and the inconsistent fatwas issued by SSBs, contribute to the issue of creative Shari‘ah compliance. Most importantly, it suggests regulatory mechanisms which regulators can employ in Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia and in secular countries such as the United Kingdom to deal with the issue of creative Shari‘ah compliance.




The Islamic Finance Handbook


Book Description

Get up to speed quickly on the world's fastest growing financial sector The Islamic Finance Handbook: A Practitioner's Guide to the Global Markets is the definitive report for the Islamic finance industry. Written by the industry's leading practitioners, the book provides a country-by-country breakdown of the current state of the Islamic market, including league tables by region and by country. Relevant case studies are used throughout to illustrate the practical aspect of the information presented. Organized for easy navigation, each chapter features sub-sections that allow instant comparison between countries in a specific area of interest. The Islamic finance industry is the world's fastest growing sector, valued at over U.S. $1.3 trillion by the UK Islamic Finance secretariat, with an annual growth of 24% for the past five years. To compete globally, practitioners need a true understanding of key markets within the industry. The Islamic Finance Handbook paints a clear picture of where each country stands in its development and role within the market, and provides a straightforward comparison between markets. Features include: Current macroeconomic and microeconomic conditions Regulatory and political situations Recent transactions, key participants, and the investor climate Real-world cases, as opposed to speculative scenarios The book places a clear focus on current conditions versus past performance, and on practical applications versus theoretical speculation. Each chapter is authored by a leading practitioner from within each country, allowing a true glimpse inside the day-to-day workings of the Islamic markets. For finance professionals who need to get up to speed on this rapidly growing sector, The Islamic Finance Handbook: A Practitioner's Guide to the Global Markets is a clear, comprehensive guide.




Introduction to Islamic Banking and Finance


Book Description

Introduction to Islamic Banking and Finance is a succinct guide to the key characteristics of Islamic banking highlighting how these differ from conventional banking. This detailed book illustrates how Islamic banking is consistent with the Sharia'a, a key element of which is the prohibition on collecting and paying interest. This central religious precept appears to rule out most aspects of modern finance but it does allow money to be used for trading tangible assets and business, which can then generate a profit. Brian Kettell's book looks at all aspects of Islamic banking, including chapters on its creation and evolution through to detailed discussions of the issues involved in the Sharia'a contracts of Murabaha, Mudaraba, Musharaka, Ijara, Istisna'a, and Salam. Islamic insurance (Takaful) is also covered. Finally the book takes a look at Sharia'a law and Sharia'a boards, indicating the roles and responsibilities that come with membership. Islamic banks have been operating in places such as Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Dubai for some time. Conventional bankers have traditionally viewed the sector as a small, exotic niche but recent years have seen a dramatic surge in popularity. A number of Western investment banks have started working with Muslim clerics to create new ranges of financial products designed for devout Muslims, a large and growing market. Although estimates of the size of the Islamic finance industry vary greatly, everyone agrees that it is expanding rapidly and this is the perfect book for anyone looking to understand the industry.




The Islamic Finance Industry


Book Description

Islamic finance has emerged to meet the financial needs of people who seek a different approach to conventional banking and finance. Due to its late inception, Islamic finance has often been regarded as an "infant industry" compared to its traditional counterparts. Even though the Islamic finance industry is still classified as nascent, it has shown rapid growth in the last decade or so. The primary objective of this book is to highlight the main issues and challenges the Islamic finance industry faces and to offer practical solutions. Firstly, the book classifies the main components of Islamic finance such as money and banking, capital markets, fintech, microfinance, insurance as well as morality and governance. Secondly, all of the chapters are combined according to their relationship and link with each other so as to provide readers with a unique and holistic overview of the subject. The chapters are written by well-renowned experts in the field. As well as offering readers theoretical information about each subject under discussion, it also advances practical solutions that can contribute to the development of each field. The book answers questions such as how money is created by banks; what the business model of Islamic banking should look like; whether Islamic microfinance institutions are sustainable; what the likely framework of takaful should be; what the potential role of fintech could be in reshaping the Islamic financial system, and where and whether morality fits in the financial system. The book will attract the attention of students, researchers, practitioners, regulators and policymakers.




Global Leaders in Islamic Finance


Book Description

Interviews with the professionals driving the rapid global growth of Islamic finance Though the modern Islamic finance system has existed for more than forty years, its size and influence in the banking industry has expanded massively in just the last decade. This book looks at Islamic finance from the perspective of the experts shaping the industry, including some of the founders of the first Islamic banks—Haj Saeed Lootah, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Al Faisal Al Saud, and Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel—as well as other professionals who have greatly influenced the industry. Editor Emmy Alim offers rare insight on Islamic finance with these insightful interviews focused on the development, rise, and future trajectory of Islamic finance. Features rare insider perspective on the rise of Islamic finance with interviews from the top names in the industry in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States An ideal resource for bankers and finance professionals working in traditional finance as well as Islamic finance Written by Emmy Alim, Editor for Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Gateway, a multi-platform forum for experts and professionals in the Islamic finance industry




Islamic Finance For Dummies


Book Description

A detailed look at the fast-growing field of Islamic banking and finance The global Islamic finance market is now worth about $700 billion worldwide. Islamic Finance For Dummies helps experienced investors and new entrants into Islamic finance quickly get up to speed on this growing financial sector. Here, you'll find clear and easy-to-understand information on how you can incorporate Islamic finance products into your investment portfolio. You'll quickly and easily: become acquainted with the theory, practice, and limitations of Islamic banking; understand how to develop products for the Islamic financial industry; grasp the objectives and sources of Islamic law and the basic guidelines for business contacts; learn about Islamic fund management and insurance; and much more. Coverage of the role Islamic finance can play in the development of the financial system and of economies Addresses the risks and rewards in Islamic banking The future prospects and opportunities of the Islamic finance industry With the help of Islamic Finance For Dummies, you'll discover the fast and easy way to tap into the booming Islamic finance arena.




Dilemmas and Challenges in Islamic Finance


Book Description

The phenomenal growth of Islamic finance in the last few decades has been accompanied by a host of interesting questions and challenges. One of the critical challenges is how Islamic financial institutions can be motivated to participate in the 'equity-like' profit-and-loss sharing (PLS) contracts. It is observed that Islamic banks are reluctant to participate in the pure PLS scheme which is manifested by the rising concentration of investment on murabaha or mark-up financing. This phenomenon has been the hotbed of academic criticism on the contemporary practice of Islamic banking. This book explains the 'murabaha syndrome' in light of the incentive provided by the current institutional framework and what are the changes required in the governance structure to mend this anomaly.




Islamic Finance in the Financial Markets of Europe, Asia and America


Book Description

Among international financial centres (IFCs), London is known as the ‘Western hub of Islamic Finance’, on account of its well-developed legal infrastructure. However, Brexit has threatened London’s status and consequently, the financial services industry is moving to Dublin to continue operating in the Euro region. Similarly, Islamic finance (IF) service providers in the UK are also looking to Dublin for expansion of this niche area in euro member states. This is the first book to be written about Islamic finance operations in the Eurozone. The book offers an in-depth description of International Financial Centres and the growth of Islamic Finance, compares the growth of Islamic finance in London, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, outlines the implications of Brexit for financial service providers in London in general and Islamic investors in particular and also presents a case study of Ireland to establish the latter as the most appropriate country to promote IF in the Eurozone. The time is particularly right for a book exploring the potential of Ireland to emerge as a Eurozone hub of Islamic finance, as a result of Britain’s exit from Europe. The book will cater to the needs of readers studying IF in the disciplines of economics, business, law, and religion. A secondary market includes practitioners, such as policymakers, lawyers, fund managers, accountants, regulators and international investors, who will be interested in exploring the benefits that the UK and Ireland have to offer the Islamic finance industry.




Modern Islamic Banking


Book Description

A complete, detailed guide to modern Islamic banking fundamentals Modern Islamic Bankingprovides a comprehensive, up-to-the-minute guide to the products, processes and legal doctrines underlying Islamic banking. Written by a pioneering practitioner in the field, this book provides thorough guidance and expert-level perspective on the principles and applications of this alternative-banking model. You'll begin by learning the fundamentals, vocabulary and key concepts of Islamic banking, then explore key products including istisna'a, murabaha, musharaka, ijara, sukuk, and salam. Coverage then moves into practical applications of Islamic products to a variety of contexts including asset management, treasury, risk management, venture capital, SME finance, micro-finance and taxation. Regulatory frameworks are discussed in detail, including extensive coverage of post-financial crisis Islamic bank valuation. Islamic banking has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, a trend that is set to continue given the sector's successful weathering of the financial crisis. This book brings you up to speed on this alternative way of banking, and shows you how it applies within your own current practices. Understand the principles of Islamic banking and finance Learn the products, vocabulary and key concepts of the field Consider the applications in a variety of financial contexts Explore the regulatory frameworks and valuation of Islamic banks Islamic banking practices differ from Western banking in fundamental ways — it's these differences that shielded the sector during the global crisis, but they also require practitioners to understand a whole new set of rules, products and practices. Modern Islamic Banking gives you a solid understanding of the fundamentals and expert insight into modern practical applications.




Fundamentals of Islamic Finance and Banking


Book Description

A comprehensive and fully up-to-date introductory textbook to Islamic finance and banking Islamic finance and banking is being used increasingly globally — especially in the regions of Middle East and North Africa, South East and South Asia. To cater to the need of trained Islamic finance staff, a large number of Educational institutions are beginning to offer courses, majors and minors in Islamic finance and banking. The major challenge faced by these institutions are suitable textbooks for both undergrad and post-grad levels and especially with the relevant instructor resources (PPTs, test bank, practice activities and answer keys). Luckily, Fundamentals of Islamic Finance and Banking is here to cover the most important topics related to Islamic finance and banking (IF&B) that are relevant for students of business, finance and banking. Offers an historical background of Islamic finance Covers the principles of Sharia Law as pertinent to finance and banking Provides in-depth discussion of the six key Islamic banking products: Murabaha, Mudaraba, Musharaka, Ijara, Salam and Istisna Discusses the Islamic insurance (Takaful) Gives an overview of Islamic investment, especially Sukuks Concludes with the global standing of the Islamic Finance and Banking industry Would-be colleges and universities offering this subject as a course within their finance and/or banking program can’t be without this invaluable guide.