A comprehensive guide to one of the key risk management issues in the expanding field of Islamic finance For Islamic financial institutions, Sharia non-compliance is a growing and key risk that must be carefully managed. This book offers a thorough look at non-compliance risk and explains the legal documentation necessary to ensure compliance for professionals in the Islamic finance industry. In addition, the book offers helpful guidance and understanding for the legal departments of Islamic financial institutions, as well as lawyers, legal firms, Shariah advisors, Shariah officers, and students studying Islamic finance. The book covers fundamental concepts, major risk elements, tools and techniques for identifying non-compliance, legal documentation, and the impact of non-compliance, among other vital topics. Offers comprehensive coverage of the growing field of non-compliance risk management in Islamic finance Includes in-depth coverage of legal documentation Written by an expert on the topic who teaches at INCEIF, The Global University for Islamic Finance and IIUM, International Islamic University of Malaysia in Malaysia

Ahmad Alkhamees defines Creative Shari‘ah compliance as compliance with the letter but not the objectives of Shari‘ah. In recent years, Islamic finance industry practises have come under scrutiny, with strong critiques levelled against many institutions that claim to provide Shari‘ah-compliant products and services, which in fact undermine the spirit and the objectives of Shari‘ah. This book significantly contributes to the sphere of Islamic finance in three main ways. First, it critically appraises justifications of creative Shari‘ah compliance practises. Second, it examines how Shari‘ah supervisory board (SSB) governance practises, and the inconsistent fatwas issued by SSBs, contribute to the issue of creative Shari‘ah compliance. Most importantly, it suggests regulatory mechanisms which regulators can employ in Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia and in secular countries such as the United Kingdom to deal with the issue of creative Shari‘ah compliance.

The growing presence of Islamic banking needs to be accompanied by the development of effective regulation and supervision. This paper examines the results of the survey conducted by the International Monetary Fund to document international experiences and country practices related to legal and prudential frameworks governing Islamic banking activities. Although a number of countries have made considerable progress in creating legal, regulatory, and supervisory frameworks that accommodate Islamic banking, there are substantial differences. This paper also identifies a number of challenges faced by regulatory and supervisory agencies regarding Islamic banking.

Islamic finance is a growing part of the global financial sector. The risks faced by Islamic banks are real, and how well they mitigate them will determine their future. This book answers questions regarding how Islamic Financial Institutions should focus on their risk management practices and the necessary solutions and policy implementation tactics. It also analyses the risk mitigation techniques Islamic institutions are putting to use, looking at different Islamic banks from across the world to investigate their strategies and solutions. Among the topics discussed here are the implementation and outcomes of Basel III, practical enterprise risk management practices, liquidity risk management, and the success story of the global takaful industry.

This study addresses derivatives instruments in Islamic finance. It highlights the benefits of these instruments, their legal aspects and the appropriate alternatives. The forward, futures and options contracts in commodity markets are discussed and the arguments in favour of and against these instruments examined. The forward contracts issue includes the possibility of trading gold in forward basis, the forward market for currencies and the possible alternative to manage related risks. With the examination of futures contracts, the main arguments against such a contract are addressed, for example the sale prior to taking possession and the sale of debt hedging and speculation. The study proposes "khiyar al-shart" and "bay al-arbun" as tools of risk management and alternatives to options. The sale of pure rights is at the center of the admissibility of options in Islamic law and is investigated comprehensively.

This research provides insights on the competitiveness of the Islamic financial industry in relation to conventional finance in the future term by investigating the development and standardization of Islamic finance risk management products and techniques. Additionally, it examines whether Shariah law impedes the innovation and standardization of these products and techniques. The investigation of the topic is carried out on the basis of a descriptive analysis of topic-related literature and internet publications. Furthermore, it is supported by analytical facts and figures from recent studies and financial reports. At the end, the research concludes that the classical Islamic scholars, and not Shariah law, impede the innovation and standardization of Shariah-compliant risk management products and techniques. Despite that issue, the Islamic financial industry with its risk management products and techniques is already competing with conventional finance in the international market as it starts at the point where conventional finance is trying to reach: zero interest rates to stimulate the economies and pure risk management products and techniques, which are not used for speculation

Risk-sharing investment is currently the buzz word in Islamic finance. However, there is an incongruence in applying multilayered and opaque Tijarah contracts for investment purposes. This has contributed to the divergence between Shariah and Common Law and caused tremendous problems and systemic legal risks to Islamic finance. The authors of Shariah Investment Agreement introduce a legal tool in the form of a Shariah Investment Agreement carefully drafted to ensure that it is Shariah-compliant and can be applied in Common Law jurisdictions as well, so as to allow for the execution of risk-sharing investment in Islamic finance. It details the building blocks and key considerations that must be noted when drafting such agreements so the investor and investee will know what to expect when entering into such a contract. Proper implementation of the Shariah Investment Agreement will pave a clear route to a harmonious convergence between Shariah and Common Law and lead to Islamic finance developing further to become a stronger, unstoppable force in the finance industry.

Abstract: The structures and processes established within an institution offering Islamic financial Services (IIFS) for monitoring and evaluating Shariah compliance rely essentially on arrangements internal to the firm. By being incorporated in the institutional structure, a Shariah supervisory board (SSB) has the advantage of being close to the market. Competent, independent, and empowered to approve new Shariah-conforming instruments, an SSB can enable innovation likely to emerge within the institution. The paper reviews the issues and options facing current arrangements for ensuring Shariah compliance by IIFS. It suggests a framework that draws on internal and external arrangements to the firm and emphasizes market discipline. In issuing its fatwas, an SSB could be guided by standardized contracts and practices that could be harmonized by a self-regulatory professionals' association. A framework with the suggested internal and external features could ensure adequate consistency of interpretation and enhance the enforceability of contracts before civil courts. The review of transactions would mainly be entrusted to internal review units, which would collaborate with external auditors responsible for issuing an annual opinion on whether the institution's activities has met its Shariah requirements. This process would be sustained by reputable entities such as rating agencies, stock markets, financial media, and researchers who would channel signals to market players. This framework would enhance public understanding of the requirements of Shariah and lead to more effective options available to stakeholders to achieve improvements in Islamic financial services.

Unprecedented economic growth and wealth accumulation in predominately Muslim countries have prompted many financial institutions in the US and Europe to position their investment teams across the Middle East and Asia to be closer to the markets in which they invest, and to take advantage or asset-gathering opportunities. This growth has also encouraged an increasing number of western industrialised countries to adopt legislation that responds to the requirements of the Musli investment community. To be effective in these markets it is essential that professionals have an understanding of how Shari'a legal principles are applied in the financial sector. Failure to do so exposes them and their clients to potential financial, legal and reputational pitfalls. The Chancellor Guide to the Legal and Shari'a Aspects of Islamic Finance is the first professional reference to focus specifically on the legal dimension of Islamic Finance. The guide brings together nineteen Islamic Finance legal practitioners and advisers to provide a comprehensive yet practical legal perspective on the subject. Each contributor draws on several years' hands-on experience in Islamic Finance product development and advice to leading financial institutions to provide a real-world, contemporary assessment of the key legal issues in Islamic Finance. The guide's hands-on approach and accessible style make it required reading for everyone with a professional interest in Islamic Finance, be they lawyers, accountants, regulators, bankers or investors. It is also a unique reference for academic institutions worldwide.