An Overview Of Islamic Finance

Islamic finance has started to grow in international finance across the globe, with some concentration in few countries. Nearly 20 percent annual growth of Islamic finance in recent years seems to point to its resilience and broad appeal, partly owing to principles that govern Islamic financial activities, including equity, participation, and ownership. In theory, Islamic finance is resilient to shocks because of its emphasis on risk sharing, limits on excessive risk taking, and strong link to real activities. Empirical evidence on the stability of Islamic banks, however, is so far mixed. While these banks face similar risks as conventional banks do, they are also exposed to idiosyncratic risks, necessitating a tailoring of current risk management practices. The macroeconomic policy implications of the rapid expansion of Islamic finance are far reaching and need careful considerations.

Islamic finance has started to grow in international finance across the globe, with some concentration in few countries. Nearly 20 percent annual growth of Islamic finance in recent years seems to point to its resilience and broad appeal, partly owing to principles that govern Islamic financial activities, including equity, participation, and ownership. In theory, Islamic finance is resilient to shocks because of its emphasis on risk sharing, limits on excessive risk taking, and strong link to real activities. Empirical evidence on the stability of Islamic banks, however, is so far mixed. While these banks face similar risks as conventional banks do, they are also exposed to idiosyncratic risks, necessitating a tailoring of current risk management practices. The macroeconomic policy implications of the rapid expansion of Islamic finance are far reaching and need careful considerations.

This book, Introduction to Islamic Banking and Finance: An Economic Analysis, covers the basic principles of Islamic economics and finance. It discusses both the theory of Islamic economics and finance as well as the applications in the design of instruments of finance as well as Islamic financial institutions. The book enables its readers to gain an understanding of the structures and operations of Islamic banking, Islamic capital market investments, risk management, and taxation for Islamic banking contracts.The book sets forth the following objectives:

The objective of organizing economic activities in any nation is the production of products and services to satisfy human wants. In the modern era, however, where division of labor and specialization are on the rise, those who produce products and services are not typically the same as those who consume or use them. Consequently, it is necessary to substitute one commodity for another. Barter required a 'double coincidence of desires'; B needed to possess both what A desired and what A could offer in exchange. This arrangement restricted the types of transactions that could be conducted, occupied additional time that could have been spent on production, and impeded the specialization of production. The limitations that the barter system placed on human ambitions lead to the evolution of money.

The Islamic way of dealing with business transactions is unique. With the guidance from Syariah principles, Muslims are prohibited to engage in any activity which can cause harm to other traders or consumers. Nowadays, Islamic Finance is accepted and is gaining popularity in the financial market environment due to its success in attracting people, especially investors from the Gulf Countries. It is also due to the rising demand from Non-Muslim investors for ethical financing and investment. This change in the financial landscape led to the idea to write this book, which gives an in-depth insight into the basic idea or concepts used in Islamic finance. Although this book emphasizes on the application of Islamic finance in Malaysia, the underlying application is more or less the same for other countries adopting Islamic finance tools. This book is divided into five chapters. Chapter 1 looks at the overview of Islamic finance and banking. A thorough understanding of the function of money, capitalist economy and commonly used modes in Islamic finance and banking, such as Musyarakah, Mudharabah, Murabahah and Ijarah, are essential for understanding the other topics covered in this book. Chapter 2 provides an understanding on interest rates in the context of time value of money, price expectation and business cycles. Chapter 3 is on riba from an Islamic perspective; it looks at the definition of riba, the prohibition of riba, types and classification of riba and the difference between riba and profit. Chapter 4 focusses on the Islamic Capital Market, which includes Islamic Money Market, Islamic Banking and Islamic Insurance. The chapter shows the commonly used Islamic capital market instruments, such as Sukuk, Islamic Syariah Equity and Islamic Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs). Finally, Chapter 5 deals with Islamic Financial Institutions and Market Regulators which lay the foundation for and development of Islamic finance. These international bodies and regulators are the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) and Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOFI). The chapter also discusses regulators in Malaysia, such as Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Securities Commission (SC) and Labuan Financial Services Authority (FSA). In addition, this final chapter explains some laws in Malaysia which relate to Islamic Finance and Banking.

The recent turbulence in the global financial markets has drawn attention to an alternative system of financial intermediation: Islamic banking and finance, which has so far remained on the sidelines of the unrest. Islamic Finance in a Nutshell is a quick and easy guide to understanding the fundamentals of Islamic Finance and how the Islamic Financial markets work. Designed as a quick read for practitioners needing to pick up the basics of the industry, it will enable readers to understand the differences Islamic and Western finance. Starting with the rise of Islamic finance, the book highlights the key areas which practitioners need to grasp to understand the marketplace including financial statement analysis, Sharia’a law, making money in the absence of interest and regulation. The book also provides readers with a basic guide to Arab terminology and a guide to the top financial institutions within the Islamic markets. This is an ideal guide for anyone with an interest in how these financial markets work, but who do not want to be bogged down in complex and unnecessary terminology.

The first book to offer comprehensive coverage of Islamic finance and banking and its applications to the rest of the world, now fully revised and updated The ongoing international financial crisis has reignited debate over the development of a risk-sharing financial system, such as that required in Shariah Law. An Introduction to Islamic Finance: Theory and Practice, Second Edition highlights the core principles of risk sharing in Islam, arguing that a risk-sharing financial system is exactly what we need to promote greater financial stability. Providing comprehensive coverage of the fundamental theory behind Islamic finance and banking, according to the core concepts of Shariah law, authors Zamir Iqbal and Abbas Mirakhor clearly explain the distinct features of an Islamic financial system and how it compares with traditional financial models. Addressing the myriad important developments that have taken place in recent years, this second edition looks to the future, addressing emerging issues sure to influence future developments in Islamic finance. Explores the unique features of an Islamic financial system, how they compare to more traditional financial systems, and how they could improve them Discusses all the most recent developments and emerging issues in Islamic finance Updated with the latest developments, trends, innovations, and statistics, this new edition features additional chapters on the financial crisis, globalization, non-bank financial institutions, and recent developments in Takaful (Islamic insurance) The first edition of An Introduction to Islamic Finance established the book as the market leader, and this newly revised and updated second edition incorporates the most recent developments in this booming financial sector, including financial stability, globalization, and non-banking financial institutions.