TOPIC 6

Islamic Banking and Finance

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Riba: Definition, Evidence, Types Issues on Riba: Misconceptions &

Rationales Financial contracts in Islam

This topic reviews some basic concepts of Islamic banking and finance. It deals with riba and commercial contracts. This topic helps us to understand/justify the need for IBF.

Coverage include:

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RIBA:DEFINITION,

EVIDENCE & TYPES

Riba - Definition

• Literally- excess, increase, expansion, growth

• Technically– every excess in return of which no reward or equivalent

counter-value is paid– a predetermined excess or surplus over and above the loan

received by the creditor conditionally in relation to a specified time period

– A forced increase in value in the amount being loaned out– “Premium” that must be paid by borrower to lender along

with the principal amount as a condition for the loan or for an extension in its maturity

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Riba - Definition

• During pre-Islamic days (jahiliyyah):• Lending out money for a specified time and received from him a

fixed amount of money every month as interest

• ‘Modern’ jahiliyyah:• Lending out money to another on a condition that after a certain

time it would charge a fixed amount in addition to the principal• Addition with no additional labor but due to time for which the

principal has been borrowed

• 3 elements of riba’:• Excess/surplus over and above the loaned capital• Determination of the surplus according to time• Bargain to be conditional on the payment of the pre-determined

surplus

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Prohibition of Riba: Evidence

• Besides Quran, other earlier scriptures had also prohibited usury• Bible: “Lend, hoping for nothing again” in Luke• Aristotle: “ A piece of money cannot beget another piece”• Thomas Aquinas: “To take usury for money lent is unjust in itself, because

this is to sale what does not exist”

• Al-Quran on prohibiting riba: al-Rum verse 39, al-Nisa: 161, al-Imran: 130, al-Baqarah: 275-281. For example:

– (2:275) “… they say, trade is like riba, but Allah has permitted trade and prohibited riba… beware of the war on the part of Allah and His Apostle…”

• Various sunnah on prohibition of riba, severity of its sin and its form. An example:

- “The Prophet of Allah s.a.w. cursed the receiver and the payer of riba, the one who records it and the two witnesses to the transaction and said: they are alike (in guilt)”

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Prohibition of Riba: Evidence

• All jurists agree that riba is prohibited (haram)• Prohibition of riba comes in stages:

• Stage 1: Stress the fact that riba does not increase individual/national health, but on the other hand it decreases wealth (al-Quran, 30:39)

• Stage 2: Warning if not obeying the injunction (al-Quran, 4:161)• Stage 3: Muslims are told not to take compound interest if they

want real success in life (al-Quran, 3:130)• Stage 4: Distinguish between trade and riba. Believers should

refrain from interest or they will suffer both in this world and in the hereafter (al-Quran: 2;275-276)

• Stage 5: Clear prohibition of interest and declared it as unlawful in muslim society (al-Quran, 2:278-281)

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Types of Riba1. Riba al-Qard (debt) – riba an-nasi’ah

• As being highlighted in Quran, thus also known as riba al-Qur’an• Root word nasa’a means postponement meaning to defer, to wait• Time that is allowed for the borrower to repay the loan in return for

the premium• Debt resulting from loan contract or from a deferred payment sale• Fixing in advance of a positive return; any amount over & above

principal• Common in conventional banking products

2. Riba al-Bay’ (sale) – riba al-fadl• Also known as riba al-Sunnah• Applies to sale transactions in commodities: exchanging one

commodity for the same commodity but unequal in amount

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Riba al-QardVarious incidences of riba al-Qard (i.e. riba that arises from loan):

1. Loan with interest or other benefits-when there is a predetermined excess/surplus over the loan received by the creditor conditionally in relation to a specified time period

2. Excess amount imposed due to delinquency in debt repayment or default-Jahillians increased the amount of debt outstanding if payment is overdue = riba al-jahiliyyiah

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Riba al-Bay’ (sale)• The Arabs used certain commodities like wheat, barley,

dates and salt (termed as ribawi items) as medium of exchange to purchase other things, and as such they were like money

• The basis for prohibition of riba in exchange of commodities is based on hadith of the Prophet on six commodities (i.e. ribawi items):

“Gold for gold, silver for silver, wheat for wheat, barley for barley, dates for dates, salt for salt – like for like, equal for equal, and hand-to-hand (spot); if the commodities differ, then you may sell as you wish, provided that the exchange is hand-to-hand or a spot transaction.” [Muslim]

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Riba al-Bay’

Exchange Condition(Amount & Time)

Money1 + Money1 Equality Hand-to-hand (spot)

Food1 + Food1 Equality Hand-to-hand (spot)

Money1 + Money2 Hand-to-hand (without exception)

Food1 + Food2 Hand-to-hand (with exception)

Money + Food No conditions – free trading

Money + Others No conditions – free trading

Food + Others No conditions – free trading

Others + Others No conditions – free trading

• Summary of rules under the hadith

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Riba al-Bay’ • Interpretation

– In trading commodities of same group (gold for gold), both commodities must be exactly equivalent and prompt delivery

– In trading commodities of same group but different kind (gold for silver), promptness of delivery a condition with some exception in food and food exchange (eg. Rice with wheat).

– In trading commodities of different groups and kind (gold for wheat), no condition imposed, free trading can exist.

Islam encourages earning of profits from trade but forbids charging of interest

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Riba al-Bay’ • Implications

– Certain restrictions imposed upon trading of ribawi commodities– One presumable rationale for such an injunction is to curb price

speculation on essential items– Some jurists have relied on this Hadith to render modern-day currency

derivatives impermissible

• Issue: What commodities do this Hadith apply to?– Strictly these 6 commodities only- [Jurists Qatadah & Tawoos]– Any commodity which is sold by weighing or measuring- [Hanafi &

Hanbali]– Either eatables or used as universal legal tender- [Shafi’i] – Either food items or they can be stored- [Maliki] Staple food such as rice? Non-food commodities such as oil?

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ISSUES ON RIBA:MISCONCEPTIONS

& RATIONALES

Selected Issues on Riba

• What constitutes riba?• Al-Quran does not specify what riba is and the context that it is used

refers to the particular practice at the time• Prophet mentioned “Beware, riba of jahiliyyah has been

abolished”• Al-Quran al-Baqarah: 275-280 “al-bay and riba are different”

• Several misconceptions about riba and its prohibition, resulting in confusion in its applications• Interest-based commercial transactions were invented by modern day

business; thus, not covered by the riba referred to in the Qur’an• Bank interest is not riba because it is not excessive (usurious)• Riba should be allowed under dharurah• Riba is only relevant to consumption loans, not commercial loans

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“Modern day interest is not riba”• Argument

– Prohibition of riba was revealed in the last days of the Prophet’s life• Did not elaborate on the interpretation and definition of riba• Ambiguity in the meaning of riba (area of Mutashabihaat): its

prohibition cannot be extended to modern day banking

• Addressing Misconception– Fact that Prophet included prohibition of riba in his last sermon does

not mean that the prohibition was only introduced at that time• Emphasizing importance, given the last sermon was attended by

most of his followers, reiterate prohibition of riba– Other prohibitions were also not given elaborate definitions

• E.g. prohibition of pork, liquor, gambling, adultery, etc.• These were well known to its immediate audience

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“Modern day interest is not riba”

• Addressing this Misconception– Mutashabihaat refers to verses of the Qur’an which the correct

meaning is not known to anybody for sure . Ignorance of correct meaning does not affect lives of Muslims because no precept of Shari’ah is revealed through them• E.g. “Alif Lam Mim”• References made to the “hand of Allah” in the Qur’an, in An-Nisaa 3:73

– However, riba has substantial affects on wellbeing - relates to prevalent economic and social practice

– It is not imaginable that Allah the All-Merciful would wage war against a practice, which correct nature is not known to anybody

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“If it is not excessive, it is not riba”• Argument

– Al-’Imran (3:130) - “O those who believe do not eat up riba doubled and redoubled”

– If rate of interest is not excessive (e.g. doubled) then it does not constitute riba and therefore not prohibited

• Addressing this Misconception– Other verses on the same subject matter must be studied in relation to each

other• Al-Baqarah (2:278) – “O those who believe fear Allah and give up whatever

remains of riba, if you are believers”• Every amount, regardless of magnitude, over and above principal is riba

– Qur’an is a book of guidance, not a book of statutes and legal text• Embodies many expressions having persuasive value• Al-Baqarah (2:41) – “Do not sell My verses for a little price” – does not imply

that one can sell Verses for a high price– Expression “doubled” meant to emphasize added severity

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“Riba is allowed under dharurah”• Argument

– Doctrine of Necessity – under dharurah circumstances, the haram is permissible

– E.g. It is permissible to consume pork to save one’s life from dying of hunger

• Addressing this Misconception– Is the “necessity” real or exaggerated by imaginary

apprehensions?– Can the necessity be met with by any other permissible means?– Have all other permissible alternatives been exhausted? – Islam provides means of financial intermediation in the form of

profit and loss sharing

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“Riba allowed for commercial loans”• Argument

-The common practice of riba during the time of its prohibition was the charging of interest on consumption loans taken by poor people to finance their basic needs

-This form of exploitation is not present in production loans whereby in many cases, the debtor is economically well-off

• Loans taken by rich businessmen are used to generate profit• Basic cause of prohibition of riba, zulm (injustice), is absent

• Addressing this MisconceptionTo say that commercial or productive loans were not in existence then is not accurate

• There are evidences to substantiate that the practice of interest-based production loans dated back to much earlier times– As early as 2000 B.C. in Babylon, 500 B.C. in Greece, in time of Byzantine emperor

Justinian (527-565 A.D.)– A number of al-hadith reporting on the practice of riba-based commercial loans

• Nature of Qur’anic prohibition - includes all forms of riba regardless of whether or not prevalent at time of its revelation

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Rationale for Prohibition of Riba

1. Element of injustice in financing productive activities• Riba-based loan constitutes contract with unequal countervalues –

certainty of interest obligation vs. uncertainty of business outcome• Injustice to debtor – obligated to pay interest even if business

venture results in no profit or loss• Injustice to creditor – in event of substantial profits, creditor

receives a return disproportionate to amount of generated profits• Unlawful appropriation of other people’s property.

2. Element of exploitation in financing consumption• The rich is able to generate more wealth without exerting much effort

or contributing to productive activity• Riba assumes money as a commodity, one which the rich has in

abundance

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Rationale for Prohibition of Riba

3. Negative effects of a “credit society”• Easy availability of credit cultivates a materialistic society

• People work harder to repay bank debt• Banks exercise “control” over economic agents, people become “enslaved” to

banks• Quest for economic development clouds good moral judgment and Islamic

value system• Greed leads to unethical business practices eg. greed in pay packages• Degradation of natural environment (to reduce cost)• Less emphasis on institution of family leads to social ills Essentially, Muslims forget their roles as ‘abd and khilafah

• Social relations amongst people negatively affected• Members of society should help each other in times of need• Riba entails taking advantage of another people• Breeds hatred, jealousy, ill-will towards the rich

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FINANCIAL CONTRACTS-i

What Is Islamic Banking and Finance?

• Islamic financial products and services that are in accordance with the shari’ah (shari’ah-compliant)

• Emphasizes on ethical, social and dimensions of financial transactions which enhance equity and fairness for general benefit of the society

• Financial transactions which are free from riba, gharar and maysir

• Important role of financial contracts

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Contract in Islam

• Islam prefers a market system where there is a need for exchange of goods and services. This exchange needs to be taken according to rules and regulations as defined by the shari’ah

• Contract in Islam is known as ‘aqd

• 4 necessary elements in contract formation:

• Contracting parties: individual/group/organization/state

• Medium/channel of communication: verbally/letter/telephone/sign/electronically

• Subject matter: physical goods/products/services

• Primary objective: al-bay (exchange and benefits of counter-value) or hibah (gift). Secondary objective (motive) must not conflict with primary objective

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Contract in Islamic Financing

1. Trading-based arrangements• Murabahah• Bai-bithaman ajil

2. Leasing-based arrangements• Operating lease• Financial lease

3. Equity-based arrangements• Mudharabah• Musyarakah

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Trading-Based Arrangements

• Most Islamic banking products are of this type• Murabahah

• Re-sale above the cost price (cost-plus)• Shari’ah condition:

• Goods be clearly specified; quantity, kind/type, attributes• Price to be paid including the profit must be agreed upon• Complete/total posession must be given to buyer• Transaction must be free from riba, gharar and maysir• There must be two separate contract between the bank and supplier, and

between the bank and customer

• BBA• Deferred payment sale• A type of murabahah where the murabahah payment is being deferred

to a future date

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Trading-Based Arrangements

Murabahah BBA

i) Used for short-term financing (less than one year)

ii) Payment is made in lump sum

iii) Used to finance working capital

iv) It is not applicable for refinancing

i) Used for medium and long term financing

ii) Payment is made by installment

iii) It is used to finance the acquisition of assets

iv) Refinancing is applicable

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Trading-Based Arrangements

Trading: Islamic vs. conventional banks

Islamic Conventional

1. Financial flows run parallel to real flows

2. Claims of Bank/obligations of Bank Client are time-invariant

1. There is dichotomy between financing and the use of funds

2. Claims of Bank/obligations of bank Client are adjustable

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Leasing-Based Arrangements

• Al-Ijarah is a contract for the usufruct of an asset, while its ownership still remains with original owner (lessor)

• Four fundamental conditions for a valid ijarah contract• Asset remains the property of the lessor• Period of contract be specified• Rental and its payment schedule be precisely

stated• Asset remains in working condition during the

period of the contract (lessor’s responsibility)

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Leasing-Based Arrangements

Leasing: Islamic vs. conventional banksIslamic Conventional

1. Financial flows are tied to real flows

2. Claims of Bank/obligations of Bank client are time-invariant

1. There is a dichotomy between financing and the use of funds

2. Claims of Bank/obligations of Bank client are adjustable

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Leasing-Based Arrangements

• There are primarily two kinds of leasing: financial or capital leasing and operating leasing

 • Operating leasing

• Bank can adopt the course of operating lease with its client

• The obligation to arrange the asset can also be delegated to the client through wakalah (contract of agency)

• Al-Ijarah al-Muntahiyyah Bi al-Tamlik (financing lease-i)• Also called al-Ijara wa al-Iqtina• Leasing ends with ownership transfer of asset to lessee• Differences of opinions among Muslim scholars regarding

validity of this type of leasing, majority goes in favor

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Equity-Based Arrangements

• Partnership modes that allow two or more parties to share both contributions to and fruits of economic activity

• Common modes of financing• Mudarabah: where one partner (rabbul mal-owner

of capital) provides capital, while the other (Mudarib-entrepreneur) provides his effort or expertise

• Musharakah: is when both parties contribute to capital. The quantum of effort put in by either partner is not critical in this regard

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Equity-Based Arrangements

•  Some of critical points and conditions about Mudarabah and Musharakah from the shari’ah perspectives:

1. All the arrangements represent a situation in which

Ownership of capital is shared, albeit for the duration of the contract Rewards are addressed through a share in the outcome of the activity Material losses are shared in proportion to ownership stakes of the various

partners along with labor going totally unrewarded

2. Nature and scope of partnership must be defined

3. Nature of role of mudarib/entrepreneurs must be explicitly stated

4. Profit-sharing ratio of fruits of economic activity need not be proportion to equity-stakes of the partners (e.g. when capital ratio is 50:50, profit sharing ratio can vary, such as 70:30). Ratios must be precise and set before the contract goes into effect.

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Major Issues in IBF

• In relation to the practices of modern Islamic banking

• Contentions regarding shari’ah-compliancy of some trading and leasing products, especially Murabahah, BBA and financial leasing, service charges on loans, credits

• Some Muslim scholars believe that these products operate on the basis of time value of money, which is basically tantamount to Riba

• Issue on well-defined standards for Islamic banking products• Accounting standard• Operating standard• Risk management standard

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Prohibition of gharar

• Literally: Deceit, fraud, uncertainty, danger, peril, or hazard that might lead to destruction or loss

• Technically: uncertainty caused by lack of clarity regarding the subject matter or price in a contract of exchange

• All jurists agree that gharar should be avoided in commercial exchange contracts

• A sale of a thing which is not present at hand or whose consequences is not known

• Classical examples of gharar sale– Sale of fish still in the sea– Sale of birds in the air– Sale of unborn animals

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Prohibition of gharar

• Contemporary scholars differentiate between minor and major gharar • Types of gharar

1. Gharar yasir (minor or slight)• Tolerated and will not invalidate a contract

2. Gharar fahish (major or excessive)• Not tolerated and may result in contract voidability

• Rationale for prohibition of gharar– To ensure full consent and satisfaction of the parties in a contract

• Without full consent, a contract may not be valid• Can only be achieved through certainty, full knowledge, full disclosure and

transparency– Gharar in commercial contracts may lead to injustice, exploitation

and/or enmity among contracting parties

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Prohibition of maysir

• Definition: easily available wealth; acquisition of wealth by chance

• A form of gambling• Many direct references in the Quran prohibiting gambling,

for example:• “Satan intends to excite enmity and hatred among you

with intoxicants and gambling, and hinder you from remembrance of Allah, and from prayer…” (5:90)

• “They ask thee concerning wine and gambling. Say: ‘In them is great sin and some benefits for people; but the sin is greater than the benefits’” (4:219)

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Concept of ‘iwad

• Definition: equal countervalue– element of ‘iwad in sale promotes a sense of equity and justice in economic

transaction, differentiating it from riba– Islam prohibits riba but permits sale (bay’)

• Shari’ah requires all legitimate exchange to contain ‘iwad– “Every increase, which is without ‘iwad or equal countervalue, is riba” [ Ibn

al-’Arabi ]

• Components of ‘iwad1. Risk (ghurm): Market risk – price risk, holding costs, obsolescence2. Work and effort (ikhtiyar): Services or activities that value-add3. Liability (daman): Product liability borne by seller, in the event of defects

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CONCLUSION

To be safe: Follow mainstream view on riba and interest

IBF is not only about interest-free banking

Debt-based is never totally impermissible even though equity-based instruments have more economic merits.

Ingredients of a successful project is still applicable in IBF

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