scholarly journals Hājah In Islamic Finance: Mastering The Doctrine Of Need In Sharīʿah Decision Making

Author(s):  
Ehsanullah Agha ◽  
Zurina Shafii

Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) are compelled to operate in a highly regulated environment without jeopardizing the Sharīʿah governance framework. To deal with arising challenges, Sharīʿah decision-makers sometimes rely on the doctrine of ḥājah (need) as a device to enact a concessionary ruling. However, critiques argue that ḥājah has been used as a pretext to circumvent Islamic commercial law. This paper is an attempt to develop a possible criterion for making a legitimate need-based Sharīʿah solution for IFIs. The research concluded that a Sharīʿah vetted ḥājah can be leveraged by Sharīʿah decision-makers as a tool to address a legitimate challenge faced by individuals or corporations keeping in view the proposed parameters.   

Author(s):  
Muhammad Amanullah ◽  
Muhammad Nabil Fikri Bin Mhd Zain

Shari`ah committee of every Islamic bank or other Islamic financial institutions has some specific duties. Likewise, this committee should follow some guidelines in making its decisions. Bank Nigara Malaysia (BNM) has prescribed these duties and decision-making guidelines in its Sharī‘ah Governance Framework (SGF). Using analytical and critical methods, this research paper aims to study these duties and decision-making guidelines. The duties of the Sharī‘ah  Committee set by BNM include the basic principle of advising, endorsing, supervising, assisting, consulting and reporting on Sharī‘ah  matters. Besides that, the decision-making guidelines for Sharī‘ah  Committee by BNM are well-structured and practical. This study contributes to the related literature by showing that the country’s support towards the Islamic finance sector, through BNM’s guidelines, may help the development of IFIs in the country.  The results drawn from this study may help policymakers to develop better duties and decision-making guidelines for Sharī‘ah Committees. This study is limited to the SGF issued by BNM in 2010 only. Keywords: Sharī‘ah Committee, Duties, Decision-making, Guidelines. Abstrak Jawatankuasa Shariah bagi setiap bank Islam atau institusi kewangan Islam (IFIs) mempunyai beberapa tugas tertentu. Begitu juga, jawatankuasa ini perlu mengikuti beberapa garis panduan dalam membuat keputusannya. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) telah menetapkan tugas-tugas ini dan juga garis panduan membuat keputusan dalam Shariah Governance Framework (SGF). Dengan menggunakan kaedah analitikal dan kritikal, penyelidikan ini bertujuan mengkaji tugas-tugas serta garis panduan membuat keputusan tersebut. Tugas-tugas jawatankuasa Shariah yang ditetapkan oleh BNM merangkumi prinsip asas dalam menasihati, menyokong, menyelia, membantu, berunding dan melaporkan berkenaan isu-isu Shariah. Di samping itu, garis panduan membuat keputusan ke atas jawatankuasa Shariah yang ditetapkan oleh BNM adalah amat berstruktur dan praktikal. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa sokongan yang diberikan oleh negara terhadap sektor kewangan Islam melalui garis panduan ini boleh membantu kepesatan IFIs dalam negara Malaysia. Keputusan yang diperoleh daripada kajian ini dapat membantu penggubal dasar untuk membangun dengan lebih baik tugas-tugas serta garis panduan membuat keputusan untuk Jawatankuasa Shariah. Kajian ini terhad kepada SGF yang dikeluarkan oleh BNM pada tahun 2010 sahaja. Kata Kunci: Jawatankuasa Shariah, Tugas-Tugas, Membuat Keputusan, Garis Panduan.


Author(s):  
Wan Amir Shafiq Bin Ab. Nasir ◽  
Rusni Hassan ◽  
Ibrahim Musa Tijani

This paper attempts to examine the absence of a Shariah Governance Framework (SGF) in Malaysian’s Government Linked Investment Companies (GLICs). A GLIC is essential for the Malaysian economy, while SGF is practiced by the Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Malaysia to ensure end-to-end Shariah compliant process in the business operation of the banks and takaful operators. When the GLIC aims to provide Shariah compliant returns to their investors (public), the move should be supported by all stakeholders as majority of the investors of the GLICs are Muslims, and thus the demand for a Shariah compliant dividend is expected. As for the IFIs in Malaysia, the Central Bank of Malaysia requires all IFIs to establish an SGF to ensure their activities comply with Shariah principles. The question arises whether this requirement should be practiced by the GLICs too. This paper examines the importance of SGF to be established by the GLICs. Since this study is focusing on the importance of SGF in GLICs, interviews and document analysis methods are used for data collection. Keywords: Government Linked Investment Companies, Shariah Governance Framework, Shariah Compliance, Islamic Finance. Abstrak Makalah ini cuba meneliti permasalahan mengenai ketiadaan Kerangka Tadbir Urus Syariah (Shariah Governance Framework atau SGF) di Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan (Government Link Investment Companies atau GLIC) di Malaysia. Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan adalah penting untuk ekonomi Malaysia, sementara Kerangka Tadbir Urus Syariah merupakan peraturan yang  dipraktikkan oleh Institusi Kewangan Islam (IKI) di Malaysia untuk memastikan proses patuh Syariah dipatuhi secara keseluruhan dalam setiap aspek operasi bank Islam dan pengendali takaful. Apabila Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan menjalankan perniagaan bertujuan untuk memberikan pulangan patuh Syariah kepada pelabur mereka, langkah tersebut harus disokong oleh semua pihak yang berkepentingan kerana majoriti pelabur Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan  adalah beragama Islam yang mengharapkan dividen yang patuh Syariah. Di Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia menghendaki semua IKI mengamalkan Tadbir Urus Syariah untuk memastikan aktiviti mereka mematuhi prinsip Syariah. Persoalan yang timbul adakah syarat ini juga harus dipraktikkan oleh Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan. Makalah ini mengkaji sama ada perlunya Kerangka Tadbir Urus Syariah ditubuhkan oleh Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan ini. Kajian ini akan memfokuskan pada keperluan Kerangka Tadbir Urus Syariah dalam Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan di mana kaedah temuduga dan analisis dokumen adalah kaedah yang digunakan untuk pengumpulan data. Kata Kunci: Syarikat Pelaburan Berkaitan Kerajaan, Kerangka Tadbir Urus Syariah, pematuhan Syariah, kewangan Islam.  


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Akram Laldin ◽  
Hafas Furqani

Purpose This paper aims to observe the development of the Sharīʿah governance framework (SGF) and practice in Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach The study is a qualitative-based research. It uses various documents and content analysis approach to understand and analyze the structure, process and practice of SGF in IFIs in Malaysia. Findings It is found that the Central Bank of Malaysia, Bank Negara Malaysia, has attempted to develop a comprehensive framework of Sharīʿah governance for IFIs in Malaysia. The framework governs the practice of the industry, covers stakeholders’ scope of duties and responsibilities and provides details on processes and procedures in the operations of IFIs to achieve the objective of Sharīʿah compliance. To maintain the relevance of the SGF to the needs of the industry, the framework has also been updated recently in 2017. The amendments aim to strengthen the effectiveness of Sharīʿah governance implementation within the Islamic finance industry. Originality/value This study attempts to comprehensively examine the evolution of the SGF Sharīʿah governance framework for IFIs in Malaysia. The Malaysian model of the SGF is unique and could be emulated by other countries in developing the Islamic finance industry in their respective jurisdictions.


Author(s):  
Yasmin Hanani Mohd Safian

Governance is an important component in Halal industry. Appropriate mechanism should be created to ensure the Halal certified company complies with the Shariah principles. Unlike Islamic finance, Halal industry is less regulated in term of governance. Halal certification is not compulsory and even Halal certificate holding companies do not have clear Shariah governance within the administration to ensure the company fulfil its duty and promise to the stakeholder and the customer. The establishment of proper Shariah governance framework for Halal industry will boosts confidence of the shareholders and the publics that all the practices and activities follow Shariah all the times. Thus, this study investigates current practice of Halal governance in several Malaysian companies. The internal mechanisme in Halal monitoring, controlling, improving and preventing any non-compliance will be assessed. The practice will then be compared to the practice of governance in Malaysian Islamic Financial institutions. The study will help to figure the best practice of Halal governance hence become a proper model to be followed


Author(s):  
Ahmed Tahiri Jouti

This paper addresses the concept of financial literacy in Islamic finance and suggests a methodology to elaborate an effective Islamic financial literacy policy (IFLP). Based on a literature review, the paper summarizes the conclusions of studies and surveys conducted in the field of conventional financial literacy while identifying the specificities of the Islamic finance industry. Indeed, the paper would help financial authorities and Islamic financial institutions in elaborating Islamic financial literacy policies (IFLPs) in order to contribute to the sustainable growth of the industry. It promotes the idea that qualitative aspects are worth studying when elaborating an Islamic financial literacy policy that has to take into account many factors such as the maturity of the industry, the objectives of the policy (inclusion or migration), the degree of Shari’ah awareness, the understanding of Arabic terminologies, etc. Finally, the IFLP measurement should include quantitative (Total reach and number of people reached) as well as qualitative aspects (level of financial literacy, impact on financial behaviour).


Author(s):  
Warde Ibrahim

This introductory chapter provides an overview of Islamic finance. Modern Islamic finance did not come out of nowhere. It appeared as the result of specific historical circumstances in the 1970s, and later evolved through a complex process of trial-and-error. It was also shaped by broader competitive and political–economic factors. Although religion was by definition central to Islamic finance, other variables—political, economic, social, cultural, and demographic—also played a significant role. No longer confined to the outer fringes of global finance, Islamic finance has also gone mainstream. Most major financial institutions are now involved in one way or another in Islamic finance, as are global consulting, accounting, and information companies. Within the Islamic world, Islamic financial institutions have become major economic players.


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-39
Author(s):  
Lutfullah Saqib ◽  
Kellie W. Roberts ◽  
Mueen A. Zafar ◽  
Khurram Khan ◽  
Aliya Zafar

Abstract Food is one of the basic necessities that is imperative for human survival. The majority of farmers related to agriculture belong to the lower class and are hence not in a position to fulfil their agricultural needs. Therefore, they must borrow from various sources, e.g., from individuals, organizations, and/or banks, using interest-based lending, which Muslims are prohibited from doing according to the Sharīʿah. Here the concept of mushārakah (participatory mode of finance) is the best option. The present work discusses the application of such transactions to overcome farmers’ financial problems. In this article, the concept of mushārakah is first elaborated in light of classical/contemporary Islamic law literature referring to its rules and regulations followed by a discussion on how mushārakah can be effectively applied to the agricultural sector. The concepts of muzāraʿah (temporary sharecropping contract), musāqah, diminishing mushārakah (al-mushārakah al-mutanāqisah), and customer agency are critically analyzed in such away to make these fit and viable for farmers and Islamic financial institutions.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Ercanbrack

This article examines the unique risks associated with Islamic financial institutions and the secular state's reticence to directly regulate their religious dimension. It argues that the state's method of regulating the Islamic financial industry ignores special reputational risks associated with the religious and cultural distinctiveness of Islamic banks.


2020 ◽  
pp. 15-24
Author(s):  
Dhiaeddine Rejeb

Blockchain is an open distributed database that carries out transactions on an open decentralized ledger. It is a technology that will probably be the source of a huge digital change especially in the financial sector. The application of this technology has started to take its first steps recently and its importance is undeniable in an emerging and expanding field such as Islamic finance. In this context, the purpose of this article is to study the integration of the blockchain and one of its important components, namely the smart contract in the management of the compulsory Islamic charity the zakat. To do this, we have developed a funding model linking all the stakeholders in question and the diversities of blockchain technology. We were thus able to conclude huge benefits and technical contributions in this context which encourages Islamic financial institutions to develop more models likely to support this technology without ignoring  the compliance with the Islamic jurisprudence rules.


Author(s):  
Fadwa Errami ◽  
Jamal Abnaha

Islamic finance can no longer be dismissed as a passing fad or as an epiphenomenon of Islamic revivalism. Islamic financial institutions now operate in over 70 countries. Their assets have increased more than fortyfold since 1982 to exceed $200 billion. In 1996 and 1997, they have grown at respective annual rates of 24 and 26 per cent.1 By certain (probably overly optimistic) estimates, up to half of the savings of the Islamic world may in the near future end up being managed by Islamic financial institutions. The first Islamic banks were created in the 1970s, at the time when the aggiornamento of Islamic doctrine on banking matters was taking shape. At the time, Islamic banks were typically commercial banks operating on an interest-free basis. Today, as a consequence of broad changes in the political–economic environment, a new generation of Islamic financial institutions, more diverse and innovative, is emerging as the doctrine is undergoing a new aggiornamento. Perhaps the most important development has been the growing integration of Islamic finance into the global economy. There is now a Dow Jones Islamic Market Index, which tracks 600 companies (from inside and outside the Muslim world) whose products and services do not violate Islamic law. Foreign institutions such as Citibank have established Islamic banking subsidiaries, and many conventional banks – in the Muslim world but also in the United States and Europe – are now offering ‘Islamic products’ that are sometimes aimed at non-Muslims.


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