Institutional economics claims that institutions and policies rather than the size of labour force, technology or capital investment are pivotal for growth or under-development. In this regard there are two kinds of institutions: external institutions expressed in the form of laws, organisations, regulations, companies, banks and the like and internal institutions, which are found in the hearts and consciences of individuals. Against this backdrop, this book acquaints readers with the basic concepts related to institutional economics. It then brings to light the theoretical concepts related to the institutional perspectives on Islamic economics, particularly highlighting areas where Islamic economic institutions lay at the crossroads with conventional ones. The book also ref lects upon the organisational arrangements that comply with the basic tenets of Islamic institutional economics. Further, it brings a collection of real-world case studies into discussion to show the models of Islamic institutions that are pragmatic in today’s business environment. The book contains novel dimensions on the subject, includes conceptual debates as well as practical examples and explores hot topics such as waqf and fintech from an Islamic perspective. This is the first book to exclusively cover this topic and is written by well-known and respected international economists from the field. Since the book is written in an accessible style and the concepts are expressed in plain language, it will find an audience among academics, researchers and students in economics and Islamic economic studies, as well as policymakers and professionals engaged in the Islamic finance industry, seeking to make their services and products conform to an Islamic institutional perspective.

Waqf is emerging globally as a distinctive institution, serving as a vital bridge between societal and economic needs, and resource allocation. Waqfs functioning in some parts of the world, of a variety of assets such as cash, stocks, securities, intellectual property rights, and other financial instruments by individual, institutional, and corporate wāqifs, are paving the way for financial and social inclusion. This book explains how the system of awqāf leads to welfare in society by facilitating financial and social intermediation. It describes waqf in accessible terms, focusing on how it helps people, communities, and nations, and how it can help make societies equitable, peaceful, efficient, and more prosperous. It comprises eight key themes, including a brief overview of the historical role of waqf in various periods in Muslim societies in socioeconomic sectors; the evolutionary aspects of waqf as an institution; the role of waqf in promoting entrepreneurship; the role of awqāf system in an economy by facilitating financial and social intermediation; potential options for using waqf as financial intermediation; an overview of the management and regulation of waqf entities; the organizational and legal framework for the institution of waqf; and key findings and recommendations for realizing the capacity of waqf in the pursuit of socioeconomic welfare. Specifically, the book takes Pakistan as a case study. This research-oriented book is tailored to readers interested in understanding the fundamental concepts of Islamic finance and social welfare, without requiring a background in the discipline. It caters to academics, researchers, policymakers, and those keen on exploring the transformative potential of waqf to achieve societal welfare and shared economic growth.

Islamic Finance: Instruments and Markets looks at the application of Sharia law to the world of banking and finance. It provides you with an understanding of the rationale behind the instruments and the rapidly developing Islamic financial markets. Coverage includes in-depth analysis of the financial instruments within the Sharia framework and how they are applied in various sectors including insurance, investment and capital markets. Regulatory issues are also discussed both from the role of the Sharia board to reporting financial risk to legal bodies. It addresses issues such as bringing a New Ethical Dimension to Banking through to The International Role of Islamic Finance and provides you with a range of checklists from Business Ethics in Islamic Finance to The Role of the Shariah Advisory Board in Islamic Finance and Regulatory and Capital Issues under Shariah Law.

ÔI read with great interest the current state of Islamic economics and finance as examined by Muhammad Akram Khan, who has given a fresh outlook for the readers to find out its limitations and to search for its solutions. Khan has read widely in the subject matter, and presented his views with reference to literature and thoughtful and logical arguments. While many may not agree with his arguments or will have a better explanation, I find his arguments at least worthy of examination to strengthen the arguments of those who might oppose him. Although Khan is critical of the subject matter, he is very sympathetic to the greater objectives of Islamic economics and provides his own prescriptions to achieve those objectives.Õ Ð M. Kabir Hassan, University of New Orleans, US ÔThis is a very thought provoking book coming at a crucial stage in the development of Islamic economics and finance. Although the reader may not agree with some of the conclusions reached, it is clearly a scholarly and extensively researched piece of work; it should be read by all serious students of the subject area. Amongst other things, it throws light on the reasons why the practical implementation of Islamic economics and finance, particularly in relation to the financial system and financial institutions, has not always conformed to the true theoretical foundations laid down by Islamic scholars.Õ Ð John Presley, Loughborough University, UK and recipient of Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Finance, 2001Ð2002 ÔÒIslamic economic system is a type of capitalism with a spiritual dimensionÓ is a major conclusion of this book. I applaud this insight of Muhammad Akram Khan. The same can be perhaps said of Islamic finance, which, in its hurry to build viable and efficient financial institutions, has ignored the very same need to start with profits-and-risk-sharing principle and no-riba principles to build pricing models to anchor the new sub-discpline. The good news is that, in the course of time to come, AkramÕs advocacy may be realised since such serious works have already begun.Õ Ð Mohamed Ariff, University Putra Malaysia and Bond University, Australia ÔAlthough there are many books on Islamic economics, this critical, but sympathetic, account by Muhammad Akram Khan is worthy of attention. The author has clearly read widely on the subject and appreciates the limitations of much that he has read. Islamic economics is a work in progress and by focusing on its shortcomings, Khan challenges the assumptions of many working in the field. His discussion of methodology is insightful, and even the prohibition of riba, for many the defining characteristic of Islamic finance, is examined from a fresh perspective. While many will not agree with the analysis and the conclusions, even critics should be able to appreciate the strengths of the arguments made. In summary this is a worthwhile, and in many respects an innovative, survey of the state of Islamic economics and finance. It deserves to be widely read.Õ Ð Rodney Wilson, Durham University, UK What is Wrong with Islamic Economics? takes an objective look at the state of the art in Islamic economics and finance. It analyses reasons for perceived stagnation and also suggests a way forward. As well as probing various myths, the book presents several innovative ideas and a methodology for developing the subject on new foundations. It also highlights weaknesses in the conventional position on prohibition of interest, which has led Islamic banks devise a series of legal tricks. The author notes how the original aim of devising a new brand of banking has become less prominent whilst Islamic banks now position themselves more closely to conventional banks. The book also offers insights into how certain traditional thinking has seemingly ignored the egalitarian spirit of the law of zakah and created a scenario where zakah is not able to help the billions of poor people around the globe. This detailed book will appeal to students, professors, researchers, Islamic banks and finance houses, consulting companies, accounting firms, and regulatory bodies. Professional economists, libraries in research and training organizations, as well as anyone with a general interest in the topic will find much to interest them.

When originally published this was the first reference book to address itself to Islamic banking and finance and it offers comprehensive information on all major institutions which have commercial or banking interests in this field. It includes analysis of the principles behind interest-free banking and indicates its relationship with financial institutions in both Islamic countries and Western ones. It also lists the laws governing interest-free banking in countries where it is extensively in operation and provides essential information for all international financial institutions. The Directory lists all banks and financial institutions by country, giving details of their specific role and areas of operation.

Shariah governance assumes the primary instrument through which Islamic Banking Institutions (IBIs) ensure the Islamicity of their products, services, operations, and internal environments. It is considered to be one the fundamental elements that differentiates IBIs from their traditional counterparts. Shariah Governance in Islamic Banking Institutions provides a critical overview of the key aspects pertaining to Shariah governance within Islamic financial institutions and presents a detailed analysis of its conceptual background. The authors have identified the unique issues that have emerged due to the integration of Shariah, namely the involvement of the Shariah supervisory board (SSB), in the corporate governance arrangements of Islamic banks. These issues relate to disclosure, transparency, independency, consistency, confidentiality, competency, and reputation. The book details the doctrines of Shariah pronouncements in Islamic banks, the importance of having a central advisory board at a regulatory level in the standardization of Islamic banking practices, as well as the competence required for Shariah supervisory board members. It provides a critical analysis of the Shariah governance framework in Pakistan and introduces the authors’ vision of an ideal Shariah governance framework. Furthermore, the chapters offer guidance in promoting effective policies for improving Shariah governance. This is one of the core challenges facing Islamic banks, namely, to ensure compliance with faith and provide legitimacy to the business of IBIs, and as such, the book will appeal to both the research and professional communities.

Islamic institutions have had a very long history, whose performance was muted during the Colonial Period. However, after the Second World War, the revival of the Islamic institutions began. Throughout its history, it had been assumed that these institutions are working for the betterment of humanity. Their target is to achieve a high level of the welfare for the concerned community. Historically these institutions were waqf, zakat and sadaqat. However from the last three decades, Islamic financial institutions have been established with the objective of providing interest- free products, transaction and services for Muslims. However there has been lot of criticism on the performance and role of these institutions. This becomes especially pertinent in a Muslim country like Indonesia, where there is a dire need to know that how these institutions are working and if it is possible for them to achieve the objectives of the Shari'ah. Some scholars have claimed that these institutions are performative and only serving 'lip service', and there are no significant differences between the Islamic and secular institutions where both kinds of institutions operate on the same foundations and differ only in use of technical terminologies. This volume aims to analyze some of the Islamic institutions which are operating in the world's biggest Muslim country, Indonesia, as a case study and analyze the contemporary Islamic Banking products and practices in the light of 'Maqasad al-Shari'ah'. The book's objective is to propose an improved system of Islamic institutions for Muslims to refer to. This volume will also analyze why these institutions are currently not able to comply with the Maqasad al Shari'ah and how it is possible to enhance the level of economic development, social wellbeing, individual freedom and equality, elimination of injustice and poverty, and achieve the other targets of the Maqasad through these institutions.

'It was a humbling experience to read the product of such a remarkable feat of scholarship. It is all at once an exploration in analytic history and a complete text of Islamic finance theory and application. It is also one of the most succinct renditions of the evolution of Islamic finance embedded in a comprehensive account of the particularities of economies as diverse as Malaysia and Turkey. This is a unique contribution to Islamic finance and Islamic economic history. It has been a rewarding learning experience. It is truly a breathtaking effort.' – Abbas Mirakhor, former IMF Executive Director and the recipient of the Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Economics (2003) This illuminating and thought-provoking book questions whether classical Islamic capitalism, which has served Muslims so well for centuries, can provide a viable alternative world economic system. In the current recession – the worst since 1929 – this is surely a provocative question. But if Islamic capitalism is to emerge as a viable alternative, its nature and systems must be well understood. Murat Çizakça explores key issues within Islamic capitalism and finance, shedding light on whether the Islamic system can indeed be called 'capitalist', the principles on which the system was built, the institutions that were consequently developed, how they function and have evolved, and, perhaps, most importantly, whether they can be modernized to meet today's needs. Against the backdrop of rapid change in the Middle East, this book gives a solid background to the economic systems that will emerge in the world of Islam. An essential guide to the past, present and future of Islamic economy and finance, this compelling book will prove to be of particular interest to academics and researchers of economics, finance, economic and financial history and political science.

A historical analysis of economic thought in Islamic tradition which interrogates contemporary Islamic economics as a hybrid system.

This edited volume explores theoretical and empirical issues related to monetary economics and policy in the Islamic financial system. Derived from the Conference on Islamic Monetary Economics and Institutions: Theory and Practice 2017 held in Malé, Maldives, the enclosed papers highlights several option for authorities and regulatory bodies regarding monetary policy and regulation, as well as discussing how Islamic monetary policy effects growth, financial stability and resilience to shocks in practice. The inter-linkage between Islamic monetary policy and other markets are also explored. The subject of Islamic economics has gained considerable attention in the last four decades with the emergence of Islamic financial institutions around the world. This phenomenon has motivated economists to develop a comprehensive theoretical framework of modern monetary economics for Islamic economic system. An important characteristic of the Islamic economic system is the abolition of interest from the financial system. Islamic monetary economics is distinguished from conventional monetary economics due to the absence of interest. Therefore, under the Islamic economic system, monetary policy has to depend on other tools. In the early theoretical literature on Islamic monetary economics, many have discussed the role of money in Islamic economics system, while the number of empirical studies on Islamic monetary economics is a relatively new phenomenon. According to Islamic scholars, there are three main goals of Islamic monetary policy: a) economic well-being with full employment and optimum rate of economic growth; b) socioeconomic justice and equitable distribution of income and wealth and c) stability in the value of money. Hence, the Islamic monetary policy has several socioeconomic and ethical implications. Featuring regional case studies, this book serves as a valuable resource for academics, scholars, practitioners and policy makers in the areas of Islamic economics and finance.