Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar

Provides detailed definition of Islamic finance, and compares it with conventional finance on theoretical and empirical grounds based on practice in the Middle East and Southeast Asia

In this paper authors provide comprehensive discussion of realism principle from Shari’ah perspective and its application in Islamic finance. Furthermore, authors explain the implication of the principle with regards to Islamic finance instruments and strategies, and deliver screening of some widely-used Islamic financial products from the realism perspective.

This paper is an attempt to provide comprehensive comparison between Ethical Finance and Islamic Finance. Authors undertake an analysis of the content of balance sheet disclosures of two banks, namely Islmai Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL) as an ideal Islamic Bankd and Triodos Bank as an ideal Ethical Bank. Furthermore, authors evaluate the similarities and divergences of business principles and practices of these banks, and provide policy recommendations.

This paper aims to provide points of consensus on Islamic Economics and Finance Education (IEFE) based on the combined efforts of experts in the field by summarizing the findings from significant conferences on IEFE since 1975. Conference data is collectively treated as a survey of experts in the field. The conferences are analyzed in the context of current scholarship to understand is the field’s evolution. Findings include a need to develop the methodology of IEFE and evolve the paradigm of IEF.

This research focuses on Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`ari’s legacy and how to reconstruct it in order to provide an Islamic response to the contemporary philosophical challenges. It should be noted that these challenges are based on a type of metaphysics and axiology which completely opposed to the Islamic ones. Undoubtedly, the method of reconstruction will be based upon both rational stand and systematic procedures in its approach to the legacy of Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`ari.

Contemporary Islamic Finance is seen by many as operating in the 'push' mode, with incumbent players pushing their version of products in the market, rather than working in a 'pull' mode, where society's requirements would drive industry evolution. The Islamic finance industry has been criticized because the profit aspect of running operations overshadows the altruistic aspect of Islamic Finance (IF) and easily marketable solutions are more common than socially relevant products to benefit the wider communities.

This is Volume 1 of the 5 volumes’ book featuring selected papers in English presented to the 10th International Conference on Islamic Economics and Finance, held in March 2015, Doha, Qatar.