Islamic banking in perspective

Distinguishing characteristics of Islamic banks include their commitment to shari`a and provisions for qard hasan. The thinking and philosophical ideas behind Islamic banking, such as earning only by permissible methods, distributive justice, the honorable status of labor, and freedom and property rights, are of note. Islamic banks have certain methods and means of operation, sources of capital, and ways to galvanize resources. They offer various banking services. Their methods of finance include musharaka , mudarabah , and ijara . Islamic banks have a socially-conscious stance. Some difficulties may arise in the switch from an interest-based economic system to an Islamic one.