Purpose: Islamic financing is based on the ideology of Islam, proposing a different economic system than capitalism. The essence of Islamic financing lies in trading of goods, provision of services and/or investment under profit and loss sharing. This study aims to examine legal forms and economic substance of the contracts used by the Islamic financial industry. Design/methodology/approach: To conclude on the objectives of the study, five most widely used contracts (modes/products), including Murabaha, Ijarah, Diminishing Musharaka, Sukuk and Mudaraba (deposits), were selected to test against the theory of the Islamic financial system. Findings: It is found in the process that legally (legal form) contracts/products are in line with theory; however, economic substance is not very different from conventional counter parts. Practical implications: Through application of alternative calculation measures/methods and proper training of human resources, Islamic financial institutions can shift economic substance of contracts in line with the theory of Islamic finance. Originality/value: Islamic finance is an emerging area, and reasonably good amount of literature is available; however, perhaps, this is the only piece of work focusing on calculation methods, contributing in economic substance of contracts, being used in modern Islamic finance in addition to legal form as per essence of Islamic financial system.

This study aims to develop a Sharīʿah-compliance rating mechanism for the Islamic financial services industry (IFSI), with a special focus on banking. The banking sector is taken as the area of focus due to its leadership role in the volume of global Sharīʿah-compliant assets. The objectives of the Islamic financial system (IFS) are selected as the basis for ratings. A range of performance indicators (leading to achievement of the objectives) is grouped into four broader categories and used in the study to allocate scores with a sum total of 100. Special considerations – including the amount of resources required in performing an activity, suitability of prevailing business conditions, the degree of compulsion/discretion in performing a task and linkage with the essence of the IFS – were taken into account in the allocation of scores. This study groups multiple performance measures into four categories, including portfolio construction (deposits mechanism, participatory and asset-based modes of financing), access to finance (service to the less-privileged and sector screening), reputation (disclosures and stakeholders’ survey) and Sharīʿah governance (Sharīʿah supervision and controls, charitable operations, human resources, product development and organization). The Portfolio, Audit, Reputation and System (PARS) rating system is then developed. A Sharīʿah-compliance rating system is helpful in measuring the progress towards goal achievement of the IFS and in gaining stakeholders’ trust. It is also important for Sharīʿah boards and regulators in policy formulation, for management in addressing weaknesses and taking corrective measures and potentially for standard-setting bodies. This study presents a comprehensive quantitative Sharīʿah-compliance rating mechanism, taking into consideration the objectives of the IFS – equitable distribution of wealth and financial stability, in addition to Sharīʿah-compliance in operations. Development of Sharīʿah-compliance quality ratings for Islamic banking is essential to gain customers’ trust; the suggested methodology is thus a contribution to the literature on Islamic finance.

Relationship between Oil and Stock Markets: Evidence from Pakistan Stock Exchange

This study highlights the issues in the screening process of Shar??ah-compliant stock universe from Shar??ah and professional perspectives. We have critically analyzed Shar??ah-compliance methodologies of selected (eight) institutions in the light of Islamic principles of business. The findings suggest multiple weaknesses in the process, including variations in tolerance limits (for ?ar?m-elements), variations in the use of calculation methods (total assets and market capitalization), insufficient income purification mechanism, and confusions about the application of bay? al-?arf and bay? al-dayn regulations. In addition, we find lack of revisions in the tolerance limits, corresponding to the expansion of the Islamic finance market. We also find that certain important areas, such as questionable marketing and sales practices and environmental damages, are ignored in filtration. This study proposes a Shar??ah-compliance rankings mechanism for Islamic stock markets, within agreed upon framework, based on the degree of violations.