Islamic Finance As A Complex System

Islamic Finance as a Complex System is a unique collection which provides theoretical, empirical and policy insights into Islamic finance. The authors are theorists and practitioners from prominent institutions, including the world's biggest Islamic and non-Islamic financial institutions, and well-known academic/research institutions.

There has been a rapid increase in the interest in the study of Islamic finance, resulting in a dramatic rise in financing since the beginning of the century. By the end of 2017 global industry assets had reached $2.4 trillion and were forecasted to reach $3.2 trillion by 2020, despite historic challenges to Islam itself at the same time. This collection of chapters provides key theoretical, empirical, and policy insights into Islamic finance from an overall complex financial and economic systems perspective. Within the complex financial and economic systems framework, this book addresses questions such as how to conceptualize Islamic financial institutions in a nonlinear general equilibrium system, how to promote Islamic Finance in Africa, how “Islamic” is Islamic finance, and how it affects price stability, among other topics. The book provides case studies in Africa and Asia, addresses the subject in a structural financial CGE model, demonstrates the development impact of Islamic finance, and presents an Islamic version of the Iceland Plan for Monetary Reform.

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.

This book presents empirical research that addresses the latest issues and innovative products in Islamic banking and finance around the world. Chapters from expert contributors cover a wide range of topics, including the various issues in stock markets, an overview of takaful, a roadmap for introducing Islamic finance to uncharted territories and an in-depth analysis of the current challenges. Case studies and statistics provide up to date information that can be used for future research. This book will be of interest to academics and researchers who wish to learn more about the challenges of Islamic finance and economics.

Islamic finance is founded on principles that constitute the guidelines governing any Islamic economic or financial dealings. Innovative financial engineering today constitutes one of the most critical needs of Islamic financial institutions. It represents the forces that will drive Islamic finance toward continuous growth and efficiency. The structuring of new financing and Shariah-complaint instruments plays an important role in the enhancement of Islamic financial markets, and Islamic risk management practices, combining basic Shariah-complaint financial instruments within Shariah structures to precise identified needs. The financial engineering process in Islamic finance is a process that is very sensitive and complex. It requires multidisciplinary considerations, involving deep knowledge of finance, economy, Shariah law and commercial law. Divergence of opinions among different Shariah scholars and boards, as well as the absence or lack of effectiveness of a central regulatory body, is perceived as an obstacle to the growth of investment confidence in Islamic finance. Hence, innovation, along with greater uniformity, is essential to make Islamic finance an international financial system and to attract a greater number of customers. This book addresses the main issues of concern within Islamic banking, namely the development of conceptual framework, the viability of interest-free banking, and the assessment of its performance and future. In a world where conventional interest-based finance is the dominant framework, Islamic banking faces many challenges that must be addressed. This book discusses these issues and challenges and will be of great interest to both researchers and practitioners. It analyses the past experiences of Islamic banks worldwide, and provides an objective assessment of their successes and failures.

As an introduction to the complex issue of harmonization of legal and regulatory structure of the European financial system and Islamic finance, this is a useful and welcome volume. The ideas, insights and practical issues addressed in the informed papers that compose the book should be valuable for academics and students of finance, and to those who provide legal and financial services. The book will be helpful also to European regulators who have yet to appreciate the importance of Islamic finance and its potential contribution to financial globalization as well as to European economic growth. Abbas Mirakhor, Former Executive Director, International Monetary Fund, US This timely book examines the authorization of Shari ah-compliant intermediaries as either credit institutions or as investment companies in the European Union. The contributing authors explore the key topics of this area through differing yet parallel perspectives for example, comparing economic and legal standpoints, looking at both European and national levels and considering both academic and technical approaches. The book discusses the common origin of Islamic and Western traditions in commercial and banking transactions, reviewing a period in which the Italian merchants and their organizations drove the rebirth of post-medieval society in trade and law. The editors investigate whether the Islamic banking and financial model complies with the European framework, spelling out the different experiences in single Member States (Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom). Notwithstanding the obstacles to being authorized as domestic credit institutions, they conclude that the access of Islamic intermediaries is suitable and may have positive effects on European integration, as well as increasing the competition among the stand-still operators and evoking the ethical dimension of banking and finance. The book also highlights how Islamic banking would make the industry more inclusive. This multidisciplinary book will appeal greatly to economics and legal scholars with an interest in European and international banking and financial law, as well as postgraduate students in international law and banking law. Practitioners and regulators will also find this book an invaluable resource.

Gain insight into the unique risk management challenges within the Islamic banking system Risk Management for Islamic Banks: Recent Developments from Asia and the Middle East analyzes risk management strategies in Islamic banking, presented from the perspectives of different banking institutions. Using comprehensive global case studies, the book details the risks involving various banking institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Bahrain, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, pointing out the different management strategies that arise as a result of Islamic banking practices. Readers gain insight into risk management as a comprehensive system, and a process of interlinked continuous cycles that integrate into every business activity within Islamic banks. The unique processes inherent in Islamic banking bring about complex risks not experienced by traditional banks. From Shariah compliance, to equity participation contracts, to complicated sale contracts, Islamic banks face unique market risks. Risk Management for Islamic Banks covers the creation of an appropriate risk management environment, as well as a stage-based implementation strategy that includes risk identification, measurement, mitigation, monitoring, controlling, and reporting. The book begins with a discussion of the philosophy of risk management, then delves deeper into the issue with topics like: Risk management as an integrated system The history, framework, and process of risk management in Islamic banking Financing, operational, investment, and market risk Shariah compliance and associated risk The book also discusses the future potential and challenges of Islamic banking, and outlines the risk management pathway. As an examination of the wisdom, knowledge, and ideal practice of Islamic banking, Risk Management for Islamic Banks contains valuable insights for those active in the Islamic market.

This is an extremely valuable book written by three highly qualified scholars whose credentials for writing such a book are difficult to match. The timing of the book is also perfect, having come at a time when the worst financial crisis in living memory has intensified the quest for reform of the international architecture. The proposals made by the authors should go a long way in not only reforming the system but also in accelerating the move towards financial globalization and convergence of the conventional and Islamic financial systems. Dr. Umer Chapra Prominent Scholar of Islamic Economics and currently Research Advisor Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Globalization and Islamic Finance, by three well-respected authors in Islamic finance, provides a thought-provoking analysis of an important and topical issue, particularly, given the global impact of the current financial and economic crises. The book is the first attempt to make a compelling case of convergence between globalization and Islamic finance. Askari, Iqbal and Mirakhor should be praised for this serious effort, which is a must-read for academics and practitioners interested in Islamic finance. Professor Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim Secretary General Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) This book has a robust discussion of the growth and spread of Islamic finance within the umbrella of globalization. The book provides a unique view of Islamic finance, not only from the perspective of how Islamic finance fits within globalization in general, but globalization of finance in particular. This is a must read for anyone interested in the complex and complicated world of Islamic finance. Scheherazade S. Rehman, Ph.D. Director, European Union Research Center Professor of International Finance, School of Business The George Washington University I have not come across any literature that has delved so intensely in financial globalization, in particular Islamic finance. Due to this reason, I would encourage all interested in this area to read this book. Hajah Salma Latiff Managing Director, Crescent Sdn. Bhd. Former Director, Centre for Islamic Banking, Finance and Management (CIBFM), Universiti Brunei Darussalam The recent crisis has evoked wide interest in Islamic finance publications. Globalization and Islamic Finance is both timely and needed. Sani Hamid Director, Wealth Management Financial Alliance (Singapore)