Is blockchain sharia compliant?
The emergence and growth of blockchain and Sharia-compliant finance has led to a debate about whether blockchain is Sharia-compliant. Both Sharia-compliant finance and blockchain are based on the same central components of fairness, transparency, accessibility and decentralisation. These similarities have led to an uptake in blockchain from Muslim markets and businesses.
What is of critical importance for those wanting Sharia-compliant finance options, is that blockchain is compliant with the rules of Islamic finance and financial transactions.
WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN?
Blockchain is a decentralised system where records of cryptocurrency transactions are maintained and linked. This form of digital ledger technology enables transparent and secure transactions across computers.
The ledger, or digital database, acts as a growing list of records (blocks) that are all linked together. Since Bitcoin and Ethereum became known worldwide, so too has recognition of blockchain platforms and their purpose.
Blockchain - Key Features
The key features of blockchain are:
- decentralised databases: no single entity controls the data and this means it is resistant to manipulation, fraud, and censorship
- Immutability: once a transaction is logged onto the blockchain it cannot be deleted or changed.
- Transparency: all the transactions that are recorded on the blockchain are visible and transparent to all the participants in the network. This enhances transparency and authenticity.
- Secure: as each digital transaction is verified by participants being they are added to the ledger this prevents fraud and unauthorised transactions.
- Smart contracts: blockchain includes smart contracts that self-execute and automatically enforce terms. This means the room for error or fraud is massively reduced when compared to traditional contracts.
Sharia Rules And Blockchain
For Muslims looking for Sharia-compliant financial solutions, blockchain is becoming a viable option. Blockchain technology offers Sharia-compliant finance that offers transparent and secure alternatives that are compliant with Islamic rules relating to financial transactions.
According to Islamic finance rules, blockchain technology is considered to be a fairly neutral database tool that stores records in a transparent and secure way.
Sharia rules as they relate to financial transactions require adherence to Islamic finance principles that relate to ethical conduct and social responsibility. Key elements of prohibition include a ban on interest, speculation and investment in haram industries and practices.
Blockchain technology, as a secure and decentralised ledger system, certainly meets the Islamic finance standards of transparency and security. However, when assessing if any technology is truly compliant with Sharia rules several factors should be considered including the nature of the financial transaction taking place, the underlying assets, and the consensus mechanisms.
WHAT MAKES BLOCKCHAIN SHARIA-COMPLIANT?
Sharia-compliant finance revolves around fairness, equity, transparency, and risk sharing. Any blockchain technology or service needs to comply with these principles and be free from interest and speculation.
The development of currencies that are Sharia-compliant and based on blockchain technology is fast-moving. For Muslims looking for adherence to Islamic rules, blockchain is quickly able to verify transactions with a clear and traceable ledger.
It is important to note that not every blockchain transaction will be Sharia-compliant. This is in the same way that not every bank, project, return, investment, platform, and digital asset will be Sharia compliant. The compliancy will lie in the type of transaction and nature of the deal.
Islamic Finance And Blockchain
The interplay of blockchain and Islamic finance is interesting. Not only does it present opportunities to transform and innovate the industry, but it also means that blockchain-based solutions can now facilitate Sharia-compliant transactions.
Blockchain facilitates fractional ownership, asset management, and efficient cross-jurisdictional and cross-border transactions. The transparent ownership and financial records and real-time settlement blockchain offers is compliant with Sharia rules.
Put very simply, blockchain technology and platforms support Islamic finance initiatives and businesses. This means Muslims can use blockchain to invest and transact.
Zakat And Blockchain Potential
For Muslims who want to comply with one of the five pillars of Islam, zakat, blockchain technology has a great deal of potential in enhancing and facilitating compliance with this pillar. Not only can blockchain enhance the administration of zakat money, but it can also help and provide value in the administration of zakat.
Blockchain technology streamlines the distribution of payments ensuring that zakat transactions are fast and transparent. By recording zakat on immutable ledgers that are visible to all participants, blockchain is being used more and more by Muslims across the globe.
People are easily able to trace and audit their payments and zakat transactions, tracing the flow of their funds. What's more, it is easy to check if your zakat contribution is affecting those in need in the most appropriate way. This greater visibility provides clarity and precision for donors.
Blockchain has the potential to revolutionise global zakat payments by using methodology that increases efficiency, transparency, and seamlessness. Donors are able to maximise their donations automation and traceability.
Supply Chain Management
When it comes to business operations and analysis of Sharia-compliant methods, blockchain provides immutable records.
For Muslim business owners and customers, making sure of authenticity is key when it comes to analysing the halal elements of any dealing.
Blockchain technology can validate halal certifications and methodology throughout the supply chain. This provides a verifiable audit trail and ensures that Sharia-compliancy can be checked.
Blockchain And Sukuks
Blockchain technology ensures that Islamic bonds (sukuk) are transparent, secure and fully Sharia-compliant. As blockchain enables real-world assets such as property and commodities to be tokenised.
Sukuk issuers can then tokenise the assets backing each sukuk, making sure that each token issued represents a percentage share of ownership. What this means in Islamic finance terms is that the sukuk is backed by tangible assets or services, making it compliant with Sharia rules.
In addition, each sukuk issuance and transfer is recorded on the digital ledger and this helps to verify authenticity along the chain of ownership and eliminate fraudulent or speculative activity.
When used properly, blockchain can be set up to automatically screen for Sharia compliancy for users. This screening not only screens for Sharia compliance, but also verifies participants.
This level of transparency is highly encouraged in Islamic finance transactions.
Islamic Finance Asset Management
Blockchain can be used to enhance Islamic asset management portfolios. By streamlining settlement of money, blockchain enables real-time settlements of transactions. Platforms dedicated to blockchain encourage peer to peer engagement and transactions and this eliminates the need for intermediaries and third parties.
What this means is that asset management becomes more transparent and more streamlined. The level of risk is reduced, and overall efficiency is improved.
Management Of Waqf
Waqf, Islamic endowment, is the act of dedicating or endowing a property for charitable, community, or religious purposes.Using blockchain, the management of waqf can be delivered in an easier and more efficient way.
This is done via platforms that provide traceability, authenticity and audit trails.
Ethical, Safe And Decentralized
Using blockchain properly means products and services can become more transparent and screened for Islamic adherence. Investors and organisations can use blockchain technology to enhance the efficiency, integrity, and accessibility of Islamic finance solutions.
Blockchain is emerging as a safe and ethical partner for Islamic finance products and services. The hybrid of modern blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, and long established Islamic principles of exchange is a welcome one for the finance world.
Explore more news
In this week’s Company Focus segment,JEVITHA MUTHUSAMY shines the spotlight on Qardus, a new Islamic fintech start-up aspiring to close the SME financing gap in the UK.
The beginning
It took the Qardus team 10 months to conceptualize, build, test and launch its Shariah compliant peer-to-peer financing platform on the 3rd July 2020. “I wanted a platform that offers fast and affordable Shariah compliant business financing to SMEs,” Hassan Daher, the founder and CEO, tells IFN. Qardus offers SMEs a chance at alternative financing as they believe many SMEs are not eligible for bank financing.
Market Insiders reported that the funding gap in the UK has grown to US$77 billion as of 2019. The largest hurdle the start-up faced was securing the right approvals. The firm is an appointed representative of Share In which is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority while Qardus’s Shariah compliance is monitored and approved by Amanah Advisors.
“It is important for us to be Shariah compliant as there are over 950,000 SMEs in the UK that are financially excluded due to the lack of financial products that conform to their ethics and beliefs,” notes Hassan.
The presentQardus currently offers Shariah compliant working capital financing up to a maximum of GBP100,000 (US$125,640) and is targeting small businesses with GBP100,000 in revenues or assets.
“Due to the pandemic we are focusing on recession-proof industries. If you look at the small business on our site, it is essentially pharmacy and pharmaciesare doing really well right now, food manufacturing companies are also one of the sectors that are doing well,” explains Hassan.
While market opportunities are immense, Hassan acknowledges that it is a competitive segment especially with the emergence of new government initiatives in response to COVID-19 such as the Bounce Back Loan Scheme and the coronavirus business support loans.
The futureNevertheless, Qardus is working on distinguishing itself by being able to predict credit risk better than its competitors by using machine learning algorithms.
Over the next year, Qardus is looking to onboard around 150 SMEs with financing totaling an estimated GBP15 million (US$18.85 million) and within the nextfive years Qardus is looking to reach GBP500 million (US$630.19 million) in financing.
The platform is also looking to tap asset financing and possibly property financing. Aiming higher, Qardus is looking to provide its own technology solutions to existing lenders in the market and in turn, Qardus will do the sourcing, risk profiling and pricing of SMEs on their behalf.
Currently, Qardus is focused on making a mark in the UK and European markets but is also looking to expand to Southeast Asia and the Middle East in the future. As part of its expansion plan, the platform is also planning to become an Islamic challenger bank in the near future.
Capital at Risk. Returns are not guaranteed
The article is only available to the subscribers of Islamic Finance News here: https://www.islamicfinancenews.com/company-focus-qardus.html
Sharia-compliant finance operates within the Islamic finance financial model. What this means is that any financial product or service must adhere to Islamic rules relating to financial transactions.
The increasing popularity of Sharia-compliant finance is being driven by the growth in the global Islamic finance industry. However, many businesses and individuals are looking to Sharia-compliant finance to provide them with ethically based options and solutions. Ethical investors and the growing trend for socially responsible investing means Sharia compliant services are aligning with the values of many people across the world.
Sharia-Compliant Finance
Sharia-compliant finance must have the following qualities:
- Aligns with Islamic values
- Prohibition on interest/riba
- Ethics and morality screening
- Social responsibility
- Risk management
- Profit and loss sharing
- Ongoing monitoring and compliance
- Asset backed finance
- Avoiding speculation and ambiguity
Promoting Inclusion
Sharia-compliant finance is a great draw for ethical investors in the market looking to invest their money in ethical enterprises that promote individual inclusion and diversity. By providing equitable access to financial services, Sharia-compliant finance serves underprivileged communities who may not previously had access to products and services.
The focus on building inclusion and equity through transparency, information, and sharing of profits enables Sharia-compliant finance to promote inclusion.
There are several ways in which Sharia-compliant finance promotes inclusion.
- Prohibition of interest: the charging or receiving of interest is seen in Islam as an exploitative practice that is unjust and unfair.
- Avoiding speculation: keeping transactions transparent and equal makes them more inclusive.
- Ethical investment screening: screening for industries such as gambling and alcohol means that more focus is placed on environmental, social, and corporate governance.
- Asset backed finance: having transactions backed by assets leads to more clarity and equity between all parties.
- Risk sharing: this leads to greater inclusion as it removes the respective power of each party when coming into the financial deal. It also means that payments owing to the parties are fair and proportionate.
- Socially responsible investing: the onus on being socially responsible when investing or managing a portfolio places a responsibility on the investor to be conscious of working with marginalised groups.
- Sustainability: having a future focus on long term goals is a key element of Islamic finance.
- Fairness in contracts: Islamic finance emphasises the importance of having fair contracts and contract terms. Parties to a contract should act with integrity, honesty, and mutual consent.
Microfinance In Islamic Finance
Islamic finance recognises the importance of supporting small and medium businesses. Investment in these sectors and industries is encouraged.
Sharia-compliant finance understands that microfinance for small businesses is imperative for growth and sustainability. Often, small businesses can struggle to secure funding and capital. Islamic microfinance offers SMEs a lifeline with Sharia compliant finance solutions that are tailored to the business needs.
For investors, it means they can invest ethically, enabling entrepreneurs to access capital for business growth.
Risk And Profit Sharing
Risk and profit sharing is a key element of Islamic finance. What it means in principle is that partnership models such as Mudarabah and Musharakah are encouraged.
These partnerships enable entrepreneurs and financiers to agree on the terms of any profit sharing in a fair and transparent way.
Community Development Initiatives
Islamic finance encourages community development initiatives through mechanisms that align with Islam. The central principles of social responsibility and ethical investing mean that investors are required to act in a philanthropic way for the greater good of society. The outcome is that society benefits from the actions of the individual.
Sharia-compliant investments are directed towards the type of fund and project that positively impacts society. Investors looking for Sharia compliant investors prioritise investments in sectors that require funding such as healthcare, education, renewable energy, housing, and poverty alleviation.
These sectors have seen huge growth in recent years, so investing in them is often a win for the socially conscious investor and the initiative.
Staying Stable In Volatile Markets
Sharia compliant finance has demonstrated resilience and stability in volatile markets. This is due to its core principles of risk sharing, asset backed finance, and avoiding interest. Ethical investors are not looking for a quick and easy return, instead they want to invest in a stable and ethical sector.
As changes in interest rates affected the global markets in recent years, the Islamic finance investment market remained relatively stable as it is not dependent on interest backed lending or borrowing.
The value of the assets the finance is backed against provides some stability when the market becomes unpredictable.
Global Growth
Islam encourages a long term approach when it comes to investments. The focus is not on immediate profits, but long term sustainability and societal benefit. The principles of sabr (patience) and fairness in Islam mean that ethical investors investing using a Sharia-compliant framework are not always looking for an immediate return on investment. The aim is long term benefits and stable returns.
As the Islamic finance industry continues to grow, so too do the Sharia compliant finance options. Ethical investors from all backgrounds are pushing the drive for ethical and socially responsible investments.
Commodity murabaha (CM) is a popular structure for Sharia-compliant working capital financing in the UK. The diagram above illustrates the steps involved in a typical CM financing transaction, on the assumption that the SME Customer is obtaining cash flow financing and requires a £100,000 facility from using the Qardus platform. The structure has been developed based on AAOIFI Sharia Standards and the steps involved are as follows:
- A special purpose vehicle (SPV) acquires non-precious metals from Broker 1 on the London Metal Exchange (LME) for value equal to the financing amount (i.e. £100,000). The ownership of the metals transfers from Broker 1 to the SPV.
- The SPV immediately sells the metals to the SME Customer at an agreed pre-disclosed mark-up of for example £110,000 (i.e. £100,000 + £10K profit), but on deferred payment terms. The full £110,000 is therefore payable by the SME Customer over an agreed term (i.e. the financing term).
- The commodity sale is documented in the transaction request and form of offer letter and acceptance of the Commodity Murabaha Agreement. The SME Customer returns to Qardus signed copies of the transaction request and offer letter and acceptance.
- The SME Customer appoints Qardus as its agent to sell those metals, on the SME Customer's behalf, for £100,000 to Broker 2 on the LME.
- This appointment is documented in the form of an instruction letter in the Commodity Murabaha Agreement.
- Broker 2 pays Qardus (in its capacity as agent for the SME Customer) £100,000 for those metals.
- Qardus remits £100,000 (less any deductions specified in the facility agreement) in cash to the SME Customer. The SME Customer has an obligation, under the terms of the facility agreement, to pay £110,000 to the SPV in instalments (i.e. the financing term).
- Qardus as the designated security agent in the Commodity Murabaha Agreement obtains, amongst other security a debenture over any property or a personal guarantee from the SME Customer.
