Seeking specific relief in cases of Islamic banking in Malaysia – an analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-341
Author(s):  
Aishath Muneeza

Purpose Often, the application of specific relief to Islamic banking is unspoken and unwritten. However, few studies suggest that legislation on specific relief needs amendment to cater for the effective application of Islamic banking and finance in the country and proposing the idea to introduce an Islamic Specific Relief Act. This paper aims to understand the application of specific relief to Islamic banking in Malaysia. This paper will look at the application of specific relief in Malaysia and discuss the extent of its application to Islamic banking cases reported in Malaysia from 1983 to 2015. The study will shed light on the general types of specific relief from Malaysian and Islamic law perspectives to conclude whether the provisions of Malaysian specific relief law invoked in courts in Islamic banking cases are in line with the general principles of Sharīcah. To further support this, evidence from various commercial civil codes of Muslim countries have been discussed to analyse these provisions from a more practical perspective. Design/methodology/approach This is a legal exploratory study primarily focussed on library research. Findings When it comes to Islamic banking, federal legislations dealing with commercial matters are applicable. For example, in Islamic banking products, if the land is the subject matter, then National Land Code 1965 shall be applied, and when dealing with Islamic banking agreements, the provisions of Contracts Act 1950 shall be followed. This has been highlighted as a problem faced by Islamic financial services in the case of Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim v. Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad and other cases where the judge referred Engku Rabiah and quoted that in Islamic banking transactions, “the transactions entered by the parties may be Sharīcah-compliant in the first place, but upon enforcement of the contracts, the court may make orders and decisions that may side line the Islamic legal principles”. This happens when the substantive laws applicable to Islamic banking are incompatible with Islamic law. Fortunately, the analysis of the relevant sections of Specific Relief Act 1950 in this research proves that the provisions reviewed are in line with Sharīcah. However, to further enhance the operation of specific relief, the granting of specific relief could be made a general rule rather than an exceptional rule available with stringent rules. The research revealed that Specific Relief Act (1950) is expressly referred and discussed only in three cases reported from 1983 to 2015. There are only two specific sections of Specific Relief Act (1950) that have been deliberated in the reported case law on Islamic banking: provisions related to granting of a mandatory injunction and specific performance of contracts. Originality/value It is anticipated that this paper will assist to comprehend the importance of converging law and Sharīcah in legislations to attain Sharīcah compliance and will help to realise that not all conventional legislations are Sharīcah non-compliant.

2021 ◽  
pp. 275-287
Author(s):  
Christian Castro

In recent years the rise of Islamic banking has been one of the most important trends in the economic sphere, with an estimated 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, this arena has plenty of room for expansion. Conforming to Shariah (Islamic Law) puts a huge demand among Muslims looking for financial products and services that adhere to their beliefs. If it weren’t for the creation of such alter-natives to conventional banking and finance, Muslims would find it hard to participate in our globalized world without violating their religious principles. There are currently over 300 financial Institutions across the global sphere providing some type of Islamic financial product. According to some experts, the assets that are currently being managed under Shariah law, which range from investment to commercial banks and investment funds, are estimated to be no less than 300 billion. Other experts in the industry estimate the assets under mana-gement to be much larger. The FSA (Financial Services Authority), a regulator for financial services based out of London, estimates the total amount associated with Shariah banking to be as much as 500 billion. Even the U.S rating agency, S & P, estimates the sukuk (deed) market has reached over 75 billion and will likely be over 150 billion by the end of the decade. It used to be that Islamic fi-nancial products were more of a niche market but over time they are now considered mainstream, with many well-known interna-tional financial institutions battling to get a little piece of the pie.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fathullah Asni

Purpose This study aims to investigate the practice of bay’ ‘inah contract in personal and home financing products by some Islamic Finance Institutions (IFIs) and examine the differences in the selection of contracts in banking products amongst IFIs mainly involving personal financing. The study will also propose a solution to the problem of differences and simultaneously standardise personal financing contracts in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this study is qualitative, in which the data are collected through library research and field studies. The library research is done by examining books of usul al-fiqh (principles of Islamic jurisprudence), mura’aht al-khilaf, maqasid shariah (objectives of Islamic law) articles, statutes and related circulars, while field studies are conducted in an unstructured interview method with some members of Shariah Advisory Council (SAC) and academicians from Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), IFIs and public university. Findings The findings show that there is a difference in views amongst SAC members in IFIs on bay’ ‘inah contract that effects the differences in the execution of such contract in banking applications. The study found that the bay’ ‘inah contract was non Shariah (Islamic law) compliant based on Shariah’s arguments and the opinion of the majority of past and present Islamic scholars. The study found that the BNM’s SAC did not allow the bay’ ‘inah contract to be practiced in personal and home financing products. Hence, this study proposes standardisation steps based on differences in the problems studied. The study also suggested that the SAC of BNM make improvements and updates on its solution regarding the bay’ ‘inah contract so that it is not misunderstood especially amongst IFIs. Research limitations/implications The study is only looking at one case study, which is the bay’ ‘inah contract practiced by the IFIs in Malaysia. Practical implications This study proposes the standardisation of personal financing products practiced by the IFIs. The results of this study can reduce Sharīʿah non-compliance products in the market. The results of this study have gained a deep understanding of the solution of bay’ ‘inah contract made by the SAC of BNM. The findings also reduce the conflict between Shariah scholars locally and internationally and can restore the image of Islamic banking in Malaysia from engaging with controversy products or contracts. Social implications The confidence of the public in Islamic banking is increasing as there is no contractual engagement with serious controversial issues and contracts similar to the concept of riba and hilah (trick) that is prohibited by Islamic law in IFIs. Originality/value This study analyses the differences of fatwa (a ruling on the point of Islamic law) about bay’ ‘inah contract decided by some SACs of IFI based on the discipline of usul al-fiqh. The study found that the bay’ ‘inah contract is not allowed by Islamic law. The study has proposed the standardisation of the fatwa differences based on the concept of mura’aht al-khilaf and the concept of standardisation in Islamic finance and to standardise personal financing products amongst IFIs in Malaysia.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-134
Author(s):  
Jakub Vojtěch

Abstract The term “Islamic banking” denotes the banking services in compliance with Islamic law and is nowadays a rapidly expanding, global industry based on a traditional fourteen centuries old legal system. The European market is witnessing growing Shari’acompliant assets especially in the last few years and even non-Muslim countries have been trying to find legal solutions to accomodate Islamic financial institutions. This new academic and business field is raising important issues that merit discussion and this text serves as a contribution to the debate. In the paper I am trying to depict the key and distinguishing features of the Islamic banking model and reflect its law regulation from the point of view of the Czech legislation in the light of the continuing growth and expansion of Islamic banking and finance. The main objective of this article is to find out whether the legal framework of the Czech Republic covers the practice of Islamic finance and also to consider and identify potential legal obstacles.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norfaridah Ali Azizan ◽  
Amirul Afif Muhamat ◽  
Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi ◽  
Husniyati Ali ◽  
Amalia Qistina Casteneda Abdullah

PurposeWaqf (endowment) lands constitute as among the highest types of waqf (endowment) properties in Malaysia; yet it is still unable to reach its maximum potential due to various challenges such as capital, location, legal and administrative issues. Therefore, this study intends to explore these issues by focussing on the two states in Malaysia (Selangor and Perak) that have fertile lands but different management authorities.Design/methodology/approachThere were series of interviews that had been conducted with ten (10) key informants who are experts and practitioners in the areas of Shariah (Islamic law), farming, agribusiness, land management and waqf.FindingsFindings exhibit that constraints and challenges that had been highlighted in the previous literature still exist (although some improvements had been made), but there is emerging theme that the study intends to highlight which is on the needs to secure market for the agribusiness produce and the potential role of anchor company in the agribusiness. It is pertinent that for agribusiness to thrive, selecting the right anchor company that has the capacity to address the challenges is necessary. This study posits two anchor company models (Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company and Waqf Trustee-Anchor Company-Community Farmers) that can be applied for agribusiness on the waqf lands.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on the Malaysia's context influenced by specific country's features. Nevertheless, such findings can still be used as reference or benchmark by other endowment trustees in other countries especially for the Muslim countries as well as the non-Muslim countries that have significant Muslim populations.Social implicationsThe suggested models have potentials to improve the living condition of the B40 (below 40% household income) in Malaysia because the models encourage their participation in the agribusiness activities.Originality/valueThis study focusses on the agribusiness, which is rarely being given attention in previous literature in the context of endowment lands. Therefore, this article bridges the literature gap and at the same time attempts to provide suggestion to address the pertinent issue – the underutilised endowment lands.


ISLAMIKA ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ade Jamarudin ◽  
Ofa Ch Pudin

Ijarah is a contract on the transfer of goods or services with rewards instead. Ijarah based transactions with the displacement benefit (rights to), not transfer of ownership (property rights), there ijara financing translates as buying and selling services (wages hired), that take advantage of human power, there is also a translate lease, which take advantage of goods. Application ijarah growing financial institutions in the current Shari'ah is happening on the leasing company (financial institution based on Islamic teachings, as well as Islamic banking is one of the products in Islamic finance. Application ijarah emerging financial institutions shari'ah 'ah at the moment that is happening on the leasing company (financial institution based on Islamic teachings, as well as Islamic banking is one of the Islamic financing products). This research is a library research (library research) and field research (field research), and is descriptive, analytic and comparative. Data sources used in this study are sourced from primary and secondary data. Ijarah transactions are based on the transfer of benefits (use rights), not the transfer of ownership (ownership rights), some translate ijarah financing as the sale and purchase of services (wage wages), i.e., taking the benefits of human labor


Author(s):  
Ahmad Zakirullah Mohamed Shaarani Et.al

Tasarrufal-Fudhuli refers to transactions or contracts carried out by a person who does not have the authority or legitimacy to commit the transaction, and these contracts include exchange contracts such as sales, rent and services, or charitable contracts such as representation/wakalah, hibah, loans, guarantees, and so on. In the context of Islamic finance, although it is a type of transaction that is argued and debated by the jurists and fuqaha, some have begun to realize its great potential in keeping with current developments, especially in the field of Islamic banking and finance. Besides looking at Fudhuli in terms of its meaning and the Shariah rules that govern it, the main focus of this study is the discussion of its dhawabhit/ parameters as it has its own risks associated with it compared to other established types of Islamic contracts. The study utilizes a full library research by analyzing scholar`s debates and their arguments on this kind of contract, the contract`s potential, followed by analyzing the parameters that should be adopted in operationalizing this contract together with the discussion on the issues of fudhulithat are relevant to current Islamic banking and finance operations. The results of this study show that the views that allow this contract has strong arguments, and that it has also been widely practiced outside of Malaysia, but is relatively new in Malaysia. While it is permissible, however, some parameters must be put in place so that it is not in conflict with Shariah, and comply with the Shariah requirement of each contract done on a fudhuli basis. There must also be an urgent and genuine need to do so, and not involve ribawi items that require immediate delivery of the asset, as well as the existence of a council or body that controls and monitors the process and implementation by the involved parties


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-58
Author(s):  
Abdulazeem Abozaid

Since its inception a few decades ago, the industry of Islamic banking and finance has been regulating itself in terms of Sharia governance. Although some regulatory authorities from within the industry, such as Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), the Islamic banking and finance industry remains to a great extent self-regulated. This is because none of the resolutions or the regulatory authorities' standards are binding on the Islamic financial institution except when the institution itself willingly chooses to bind itself by them. Few countries have enforced some Sharia-governance-related regulations on their Islamic banks. However, in most cases, these regulations do not go beyond the requirement to formulate some Sharia controlling bodies, which are practically left to the same operating banks. Furthermore, some of the few existing regulatory authorities' standards and resolutions are conflicted with other resolutions issued by Fiqh academies. The paper addresses those issues by highlighting the shortcomings and then proposing the necessary reforms to help reach effective Shariah governance that would protect the industry from within and help it achieve its goals. The paper concludes by proposing a Shariah governance model that should overcome the challenges addressed in the study.Pada awal berdiri, Lembaga Keuangan Syariah merupakan lembaga keuangan yang menerapkan Hukum Syariah secara mandiri dalam sistem operasionalnya. Ia tidak tunduk pada peraturan lembaga keuangan konvensional, sehingga dapat terus berkomiten dalam menerapkan Hukum Syariah secara benar. Selanjutnya, muncullah beberapa otoritas peraturan yang berasal dari pengembangan Lembaga Keuangan Syariah. Diantaranya adalah Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) dan Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). Hal ini tidak menyimpang dari kerangka peraturan Hukum Syariah, sebab standar peraturan dan keputusan yang dikeluarkan ditujukan khusus untuk Lembaga Keuangan Syariah saja. Beberapa Negara telah menerapkan peraturan tata kelola Hukum Syariah pada Bank Syariah mereka. Namun dalam banyak kasus, peraturan yang diterapkan tidak mampu mengontrol Lembaga Keuangan Syariah tersebut secara penuh. Sehingga, secara praktis proses pengawasan diserahkan kepada lembaga keuangan yang beroperasi. Akan tetapi, beberapa standar dan keputusan yang dikeluarkan oleh sebagian pemangku kebijakan bertentangan dengan keputusan yang dikeluarkan oleh beberapa akademi Fiqh. Artikel ini ditulis untuk menyoroti permasalahan yang timbul pada tata kelola Lembaga Keuangan Syariah, khususnya kekurangan yang tampak pada sistem tata kelola. Kemudian, penulis akan mengajukan usulan tentang efektifitas tata kelola Lembaga Keuangan Syariah yang bebas dari permasalahan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-189
Author(s):  
Sharifah Faigah Syed Alwi ◽  
◽  
Fateha Abd Halim ◽  
Tengku Dewi Ahdiyaty Tengku Ahmad Mazlin ◽  
Aizurra Haidah Abdul Kadir ◽  
...  

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had introduced Value-Based Intermediation (VBI) initiatives to help Islamic banks implement a structuralised form of maqasid al-shariah (objectives of shariah (Islamic law)) in their banking operations. Thus, questions were raised by the public on whether or not Islamic banking institutions in Malaysia had been achieving maqasid al-shariah in their banking operations prior to VBI. This paper aims to discuss the real concept of maqasid al-shariah that should be realised in Islamic banks and investigate whether Islamic banks had truly been achieving maqasid al-shariah in their banking operations before the introduction of VBI. Library research is conducted to obtain information on maqasid al-shariah and the qualitative methodology is adopted to gain information from three bankers representing three Islamic banks in Malaysia via semi-structured interviews. The researchers found that the fundamental concept of maqasid al-shariah in Islamic banks includes the protection of religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth in human life through the products and services offered by the banks. The Islamic banks were found to have developed their products and services to achieve maqasid al-shariah even before VBI was introduced by BNM. However, with VBI, a proper framework in achieving maqasid al-shariah has been developed.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Habibu Umar ◽  
Mustapha AbuBakar ◽  
Abubakar Jamilu Baita ◽  
Tasiu Tijjani Kademi ◽  
Md Harashid Haron

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the contribution of academic and professional institutions in promoting the awareness and knowledge of Islamic banking and finance in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The data were generated through a documentary research method by examining the Benchmark Minimum Academic Standards (BMAS) for Nigerian universities and Nigerian university curricula for the relevant undergraduate programs, as well as examination syllabi and training brochures for the relevant professional associations. Findings The study found that universities do not promote significantly the awareness and knowledge of Islamic banking and finance. Similarly, the relevant professional associations through their examinations and training programs contribute little or nothing to the promotion of awareness and knowledge. Research limitations/implications This study solely relied upon documentary evidence upon which the findings were based. In addition, for academic institutions, only undergraduate BMAS and curricula were examined. Practical implications There should be collaborations between the National University Commission of Nigeria, relevant Islamic and non-Islamic professional bodies and Nigerian Universities to ensure that courses (subjects) that could promote the awareness and knowledge of Islamic banking and finance are fully integrated into academic and professional curricula and training programs. Social implications The integration of an adequate number of relevant courses/topics into academic curricula and professional institution examination syllabi and their Mandatory Continuing Professional Development programs would greatly contribute to the production of competent and skillful employees to work for the growth and development of the Islamic banking and finance industry. Originality/value This study provides better ways of ensuring that knowledgeable and qualified employees are produced to work for the sustainability of the global Islamic banking and finance industry.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document