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Shariah Board
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Board Members
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FAQ
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Glossary
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Ask Shariah
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| Role of Shariah Board |
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DIBPL strives to bring to its customers, ‘World Class Banking, the Islamic Way’. To ensure that every transaction complies with Islamic Law, we have in place a ‘Fatwa & Sharia Supervision Board’, comprising of scholars of the highest repute, with vast experience in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence, economics and banking.
The ‘Fatwa & Sharia Supervision Board’ ranks above the Board of Directors and is empowered to issue ‘Fatwas’ on any matter proposed before it by the different business units of the Bank. This framework has made DIBPL an organization that practices Islamic finance in true letter and spirit. |
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| Important Duties of the Sharia Board |
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- It is the source of expert knowledge on Islamic Principles (Including Fatwas).
- It oversees the development of all products to ensure no Shariah repugnant feature arises.
- It analyses unprecedented situations not covered by fatwa, in the Bank’s transactions to ensure Sharia compliance.
- It analyses contracts and agreements concerning the Bank’s transactions to ensure Sharia compliance.
- It ensures the immediate correction of breaches (if any) in compliance to Shariah.
- It supervises Sharia training programmes for the Bank’s staff.
- It prepares an annual report on the Bank’s balance sheet with respect to its Sharia compliance.
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| Board Members |
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Our Shariah Board members are widely acclaimed as leaders in the field of Islamic Finance. A humble introduction to each member is given here.
- Dr. Hussain Hamid Hassan (Chairman and Shariah Advisor).
- Dr. Muhammad Qaseem.
- Dr. Ajil Jasimal Nashim.
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| Dr. Muhammad Qaseem |
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| Dr. Muhammad Qaseem is currently Country Head of DIBPL’s Fatwa & Sharia Supervision Board. He has also served as a Shari’a expert in the Shari’a Structuring and Coordination Department with Emirates Islamic Bank. Dr. Qaseem holds a Ph.D in Tafseer and Qur’anic Sciences from the International Islamic University of Islamabad. Amongst his contributions to “Islamic Banking: Points to Ponder” and translation, under the aegis of IIUI, a part of the verdict of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, banning Riba as well as many other significant articles on various topics especially in the field of Tafseer. He has vast experience of teaching Islamic disciplines over a period of 18 years in B.A and M.A programmes of International Islamic University Islamabad. |
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What is Islamic banking?
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| It is a banking system which provides banking services and products in line with the rules and principles of Shari’a and is conducted under direct supervision and audit of Shari’a scholars. |
What is Interest/ Riba?
Interest/Riba is rent of money or the time value of money. It is the additional amount charged by a creditor in lieu of the time that he gives to the borrower for repayment or delay in payment.
What are the major modes of Islamic banking and finance?
Following are the most commonly used modes of Islamic banking and finance:
- MURABAHA: It is a sale contract in which an individual/entity sells an asset at cost plus an agreed profit. The sale price could be paid on spot or deferred.
- IJARA: It is a leasing contract in which the owner of an asset or its usufruct sells the usufruct of the underlying asset to the lessee for an agreed rental.
- MUDHARABA is a form of partnership where one party provides the funds while the other provides management services against a pre-agreed share in the profit of the investment. However, if there is any loss, it is borne solely by the capital provider.
- MUSHARAKA is a partnership with all the parties contributing to the capital of the Musharaka on the basis of profit and loss sharing. The profit shall be shared as per the agreement but the loss will be borne pro rata.
- SALAM: It is a kind of sale in which payment is made on spot while the delivery of the goods is deferred.
- ISTISNA’: It refers to a sale in which the buyer orders the would-be manufacturer to produce and deliver a fully described commodity .from raw materials of its own. It is basically an order to manufacture.
Is it permissible for an Islamic bank to impose penalty for late payment?
If Islamic banks do not impose any penalties on late payment the customers shall not pay in time and thus the Islamic banks will not be able to run their business efficiently and give a good return to the investors. Therefore, the Islamic banks have decided to take from each client an irrevocable undertaking that in case of late payment he shall be charged a penalty which shall be donated to a charity supervised by the Shari’a Board of the bank independently from the bank. The Islamic banks do not use these donations for their own benefit, but incorporate such provisions in their contracts to check potential default.
How do Islamic banks make profit?
The Islamic banks invest/utilize the funds received from the Account Holders/customers under Islamic modes of financing such as Ijara, Murabaha, Salam, Istisna and investment contracts such as Mudaraba, Musharaka, Wakala etc. to generate profit.
Do Islamic banks have credit cards?
Yes, Islamic banks offer interest free credit card facility for which the client pays a monthly fee irrespective of the way he uses the card during the period. The fee is in lieu of some real services that a credit card holder becomes entitled to. The fee neither increases nor decreases on the basis of the use, frequency of usage or non-use of the card by the customer.
Is there any difference between Interest and Usury?
No, both have the same meaning. Qur’an, Sunnah and Fiqh do not differentiate between the two. Islam terms what is known as interest or usury as Riba and therefore prohibits it.
How Islamic banking is different from conventional banking?
Islamic banking offers Riba free banking in line with Islamic Sharia rules. It neither gives nor takes loans on interest. It operates as a trading company which buys, sells and enters into different modes and contracts of investment such as Mudaraba, Musharaka etc.
Is Islamic banking complicated? Does it involve a lot of documentation work?
No, it has simple Islamic contracts like Mudaraba, Musharaka etc.
What is different about DIBPL as other banks are also offering the same services?
DIBPL is the first fully-fledged Islamic bank in the world and has 30 years of banking experience. As for as comparison with the services provided by conventional banks are concerned, the main difference is that DIBPL provides only Sharia compliant products and services and in no way enters into any Sharia repugnant and interest based transaction. Compared with other Islamic banks or windows, DIBPL is proud of its pioneering role in the world of Islamic Banking combined with the rich experience and involvement in global deals of importance that such a long journey entails. Moreover DIBPL has a full fledged Sharia Supervisory Department and a Sharia Coordination Department which are involved in structuring, documentation, vetting approval and post transaction audit of all transactions and products. The affairs of the Bank are supervised by a Fatwa and Sharia Supervisory Board whose decisions are binding on the Bank. The Sharia Board is comprised of a number of internationally renowned Sharia scholars. Dr. Hussian Hamid Hassan, the Chairman of Sharia Supervisory Board, is one of the most revered Sharia scholars in the world in the field of Islamic banking.
What would the bank do if a customer has any confusion while doing transaction on religious grounds? Do you have an Islamic council desk where he/she can consult with someone or refer the literature?
Yes, DIBPL has its Sharia Department which the customers can consult if they have any confusion regarding any Islamic transaction.
How would it be possible to forecast long term profit rate?
No one can forecast profits. Islamic banks declare the profit of their investment pools periodically, and the declared rates can be referred to show their past performance with a clear disclaimer that the bank may or may not perform similarly in future.
Would you be catering to the customers involved in business/activities prohibited in Islam?
No, Islam does not allow business in prohibited items. This is one of the major differences between an Islamic bank and a conventional one.
Which of the Islamic modes of investment does DIBPL use with those customers who would like to invest through saving and deposit accounts?
DIB uses mudaraba mode of investment for saving and deposit accounts.
Who is eligible to open accounts in Islamic banks?
All persons (individuals, corporate entities, firms, societies, clubs, government organizations, statutory bodies/corporations, public and private institutions, etc.) are eligible to open account in Islamic banks provided they fulfill the banks’ and the regulatory authorities’ requirements
How can we ensure that all the investments are in line with the pronouncements and directives of the Sharia Board?
All investments are first approved before signing the contracts by our Sharia Board. The Shari’a auditors monitor the operations of the Bank and the implementation process. If they find any transaction implemented in a Shari’a repugnant way, they take away its return and deposit it in a charity.
Are Islamic banking services offered to Muslims only?
No, Islam does not prohibit from selling or buying or entering into partnership with non-Muslims provided the underlying transactions are Shari’a compliant.
What would be the procedure and ratio of Zakat deduction in accounts maintained at DIBPL?
As per the Government policy which is 2.5%. The non eligible account holders are exempted from Zakat deduction in case they have submitted the required affidavit.
In a loss event, does the customer bear any loss?
Yes, the Account Holder bears the loss in proportion to his/her investment.
Is insurance allowed in Islamic banking?
The form of Islamic insurance is TAKAFUL which is based on Sharia rules. In case of absence of a Takaful based company, Islamic banks are allowed to get insurance cover through conventional insurance to avoid exposing the investors’ deposits to high risk.
What is Takaful?
Takaful is the Islamic way of Insurance. Takaful means mutual protection and joint guarantee through contribution by each member.
How is Takaful different from conventional insurance?
Takaful eliminates the element of chance, gambling and ambiguity by:
a. investing the deposit pool in only Sharia compliant products.
b. the participants are investors and they share the profit of their investment.
c. A Takaful Company manages the Takaful Fund on Wakala or Mudarba basis. At the same time they compensate those of the group who are exposed to losses.
Is there a Takaful company in Pakistan?
Yes, Pak-Kuwait Takaful Company Ltd. has launched its operations in Pakistan with effect from 1st December’05 and some other companies are launching operations shortly.
Will DIBPL offer overdraft facility?
No, overdraft facility is not allowed in Islamic banking. Islamic banks may offer Sharia compliant alternatives for such a facility.
Does Islamic bank offer loans?
Islamic banks do not offer loans; they offer financing through Sharia compliant modes of investment and transactions.
What is the term used for profit in Islamic banking?
It’s called Ribh in Arabic and is translated as profit in English.
Will DIBPL launch its credit card? When?
DIBPL is not offering credit card facility right now but it will launch its credit card soon.
Who are the members of Sharia Board?
Members of DIBPL’s Sharia’ah Board are:
- Dr. Hussain Hamid Hassan (Chairman and Shariah Advisor)
- Dr. Muhammad Qaseem
- Dr. Ajeel Jasim al-Nashmi
What are Sukuk?
Sukuk are Islamic Investments certificates issued against shares in the underlying assets, whether existing or described assets promised to be delivered in future, or shares in the usufruct of such assets or shares in services.
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