Special Features
The basic principles of Islamic Banking
Islamic Banking revolves around several well-established concepts - based on Islamic canons, these cover the following. First, Islamic banking must operate within the framework of the religion, based on Qura’n and Sunna. Hence only Halal activities are allowed. This holds ethics paramount and, consequently those activities forbidden to Muslims, i.e. gambling, liquor, hoarding and usury based lending are strictly avoided. The Banks do not, for example finance liquor manufacturing, transportation, storage or distribution companies. Scholars trained in Islamic law (Islamic Jurisprudence) screen the suitability of investments on an ongoing basis and provide guidance on products to the Bank’s management.Interest, known as Reba in Islam is forbidden. Hence, all banking activities must avoid interest. Instead of interest, the Bank earns profit (mark-up) and fees on financing facilities it extends to customers. Also, depositors earn a share of the Bank’s profit as opposed to interest.
Partnership and the Sharing of Risks. Another principle of Islamic finance is based on profit sharing partnership between the parties involved in a transaction.
The return on savings and investment accounts are variable, and dependent on the Bank’s performance and the profits from Halal business transactions only. While these profits are not necessarily guaranteed and are subject to a degree of risk, these are managed professionally to ensure better returns than many other conventional alternatives.
Current accounts do not earn income as they are taken as Qard, from depositors to the bank and because they can be drawn on demand by customers without notice. They do not bear any risk of loss either since they are kept as a safekeeping or Amanat.
