ÔI read with great interest the current state of Islamic economics and finance as examined by Muhammad Akram Khan, who has given a fresh outlook for the readers to find out its limitations and to search for its solutions. Khan has read widely in the subject matter, and presented his views with reference to literature and thoughtful and logical arguments. While many may not agree with his arguments or will have a better explanation, I find his arguments at least worthy of examination to strengthen the arguments of those who might oppose him. Although Khan is critical of the subject matter, he is very sympathetic to the greater objectives of Islamic economics and provides his own prescriptions to achieve those objectives.Õ Ð M. Kabir Hassan, University of New Orleans, US ÔThis is a very thought provoking book coming at a crucial stage in the development of Islamic economics and finance. Although the reader may not agree with some of the conclusions reached, it is clearly a scholarly and extensively researched piece of work; it should be read by all serious students of the subject area. Amongst other things, it throws light on the reasons why the practical implementation of Islamic economics and finance, particularly in relation to the financial system and financial institutions, has not always conformed to the true theoretical foundations laid down by Islamic scholars.Õ Ð John Presley, Loughborough University, UK and recipient of Islamic Development Bank Prize in Islamic Finance, 2001Ð2002 ÔÒIslamic economic system is a type of capitalism with a spiritual dimensionÓ is a major conclusion of this book. I applaud this insight of Muhammad Akram Khan. The same can be perhaps said of Islamic finance, which, in its hurry to build viable and efficient financial institutions, has ignored the very same need to start with profits-and-risk-sharing principle and no-riba principles to build pricing models to anchor the new sub-discpline. The good news is that, in the course of time to come, AkramÕs advocacy may be realised since such serious works have already begun.Õ Ð Mohamed Ariff, University Putra Malaysia and Bond University, Australia ÔAlthough there are many books on Islamic economics, this critical, but sympathetic, account by Muhammad Akram Khan is worthy of attention. The author has clearly read widely on the subject and appreciates the limitations of much that he has read. Islamic economics is a work in progress and by focusing on its shortcomings, Khan challenges the assumptions of many working in the field. His discussion of methodology is insightful, and even the prohibition of riba, for many the defining characteristic of Islamic finance, is examined from a fresh perspective. While many will not agree with the analysis and the conclusions, even critics should be able to appreciate the strengths of the arguments made. In summary this is a worthwhile, and in many respects an innovative, survey of the state of Islamic economics and finance. It deserves to be widely read.Õ Ð Rodney Wilson, Durham University, UK What is Wrong with Islamic Economics? takes an objective look at the state of the art in Islamic economics and finance. It analyses reasons for perceived stagnation and also suggests a way forward. As well as probing various myths, the book presents several innovative ideas and a methodology for developing the subject on new foundations. It also highlights weaknesses in the conventional position on prohibition of interest, which has led Islamic banks devise a series of legal tricks. The author notes how the original aim of devising a new brand of banking has become less prominent whilst Islamic banks now position themselves more closely to conventional banks. The book also offers insights into how certain traditional thinking has seemingly ignored the egalitarian spirit of the law of zakah and created a scenario where zakah is not able to help the billions of poor people around the globe. This detailed book will appeal to students, professors, researchers, Islamic banks and finance houses, consulting companies, accounting firms, and regulatory bodies. Professional economists, libraries in research and training organizations, as well as anyone with a general interest in the topic will find much to interest them.

In its pursuit to equip the reader with a basic knowledge of Islamic economics, this book divulges the micro-foundations of the discipline, and highlights the predominant schools of thought that exist in the field. It explains, in simple terms, what Islamic economics entails and how it can be studied as a science in relation to the Holy Quran, the Sunnah and the Islamic intellectual tradition based on these two sources. The book familiarizes the reader with knowledge of the basic maxims of the discipline. It then establishes the arguments that are presented by the proponents of religion-based economics, specifically Islam, and apprises readers about the aforementioned schools as they exist. A number of chapters consider the dimension of the dilemmas the discipline is facing, and the chronological progress of the field is reviewed, hence providing a comprehensive overview of the topic. The book deals with the issues about the origins of Islamic economics, the basic methodological questions, the use of the opportunities offered by fiqh in the methodological discussions and the main problems arising from the encounter with other cultures and civilizations. It offers practical solutions, despite the differing schools of thought, not unlike the development of conventional Economics where radical differences between Keynesian, Classical and Monetarist approaches existed. It concludes by incorporating some of the finest works that explain to the reader how Islamic economics may progress as a discipline. This guide will provide both students and researchers in Comparative Economic Studies, Islamic Economics and Islamic Finance with an essential overview of the field.

This book is a collection of articles addressing outlining Islamic e-Economics issues. A mixed blend of papers was chosen to provide readers with new and contrasting view of challenges currently facing Islamic institutions. All the articles were initially presented at The Fifth Foundation of Islamic Finance Conference (9-11 July 2012) in Langkawi, Kedah. The Conference was jointly organised by Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School, Universiti Utara Malaysia and Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia and in collaboration with INCEIF and ISRA. Selected Issues in Islamic Economics is a collection of articles discussing various issues from the perspective of Islamic economics. The book provides readers with new and contrasting views of issues currently facing Islamic institutions. The book can serve as a useful text for students and practitioners of Islamic economics. It also provides a unique opportunity for readers to not only comprehend Islamic economics but also to understand its future development and the role it plays in the global market. Researchers will no doubt find the book it very useful especially theose chapters that provide current data on Islamic economics, which is so scanty and difficult to obtain.

This volume is a scholarly work on the foundations of the role that the moral and ethical law plays on human enterprise comprising economics, finance, society and science. Divided into three parts, theoretical, empirical and application, the study covers a vast area of socio-scientific investigation and is extensively comparative in perspective.

This book is a collection of articles addressing outlining Islamic e-Economics issues. A mixed blend of papers was chosen to provide readers with new and contrasting view of challenges currently facing Islamic institutions. All the articles were initially presented at The Fifth Foundation of Islamic Finance Conference (9-11 July 2012) in Langkawi, Kedah. The Conference was jointly organised by Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School, Universiti Utara Malaysia and Islamic Business School, Universiti Utara Malaysia and in collaboration with INCEIF and ISRA. Selected Issues in Islamic Economics is a collection of articles discussing various issues from the perspective of Islamic economics. The book provides readers with new and contrasting views of issues currently facing Islamic institutions. The book can serve as a useful text for students and practitioners of Islamic economics. It also provides a unique opportunity for readers to not only comprehend Islamic economics but also to understand its future development and the role it plays in the global market. Researchers will no doubt find the book it very useful especially theose chapters that provide current data on Islamic economics, which is so scanty and difficult to obtain.

The Islamic perception of the socio-economic process is dynamic and its insistence on social justice is uncompromising. To produce the best social structure, according to this view, man’s economic endeavours should be motivated by a meaningful moral philosophy. In the face of the challenges presented by the modern world, the practice of Islamic economics raises many complex and profound issues. These are addressed in this highly important work, which must be considered essential reading for all those who live in the vision of the ‘right’. First published in 1994.

The contemporary economic systems have failed to solve the economic problems of mankind. The failure. of socialism is too o.bvious to need any documentation. The track record of capitalism is far from being promising. Although a small minority has achieved unprecedentlY high material standards of living, a vast majority lives under conditions of abject PovertY. The problems of unemployment, inflation, poverty amidst affluence, unequal distribution of wealth, frequent bouts of business recession, environmental pollution and ecological imbalance still bedevil man's present life and threaten his future. The present book contends that the Islamic economic order has the potential of ushering in an age of human bliss; and the resources to build a free, just and responsible world for everyone on the earth.