London School of International Business (LSIB)

How are Islamic financial products structured to comply with Sharia principles

Islamic financial products are structured in a way that adheres to Sharia principles, which prohibit the payment or receipt of interest (riba) and promote risk-sharing and ethical investing. These products are designed to provide financial services to Muslims while ensuring compliance with Islamic law.

Key Principles of Islamic Finance

Islamic finance is based on several key principles, including:

Principle	Description
Prohibition of Riba	Islamic finance prohibits the payment or receipt of interest, as it is considered exploitative and unjust.
Risk-sharing	Islamic finance promotes risk-sharing between the provider of funds and the user of funds, ensuring that both parties share in the profits and losses of the investment.
Ethical investing	Islamic finance prohibits investing in businesses that are considered haram (forbidden), such as those involved in alcohol, gambling, or pork products.

Structuring Islamic Financial Products

To comply with Sharia principles, Islamic financial products are structured in a way that avoids interest and promotes ethical investing. Some popular Islamic financial products include:

Product	Description
Mudarabah	Mudarabah is a profit-sharing partnership where one party provides the capital (rab al-mal) and the other party provides the expertise (mudarib). Profits are shared according to a pre-agreed ratio, while losses are borne by the capital provider.
Murabaha	Murabaha is a cost-plus financing arrangement where the bank purchases an asset on behalf of the customer and sells it to them at a markup. This allows the customer to make a purchase without paying interest.
Ijara	Ijara is a leasing arrangement where the bank purchases an asset and leases it to the customer for a fixed period. At the end of the lease term, the customer has the option to purchase the asset at a pre-agreed price.

By structuring financial products in accordance with these principles, Islamic banks are able to offer a range of services to their customers while ensuring compliance with Sharia law. This allows Muslims to access financial products that align with their religious beliefs and values.

Overall, Islamic financial products are structured in a way that promotes ethical investing, risk-sharing, and avoidance of interest, in line with Sharia principles. By offering a range of products that comply with Islamic law, Islamic banks are able to cater to the needs of Muslim customers while upholding their religious values.