Islamic finance means that the financial products and services offered are based on the rules of Islam. This means that they are designed to be fair and ethical, and follow the principles of Shariah law.
Some of the products and services that are offered in Islamic finance include:
1. Islamic accounts: These accounts are like regular bank accounts, but they do not earn any interest. Instead, the bank invests the money in accordance with Shariah principles.
2. Islamic mortgages: These are home loans that are structured in a way that is compliant with Shariah law. The bank or lender will offer to purchase the property, and then sell it back to the customer at a profit.
3. Islamic bonds (Sukuk): These are investment products that are based on Shariah principles. They are structured in a way that allows investors to earn a return without violating Islamic law.
4. Islamic mutual funds: These funds invest in companies that are in compliance with Shariah law. This means that they do not invest in companies that deal with alcohol, gambling, or other unethical industries.
In addition to these products and services, there are also certain contracts that are used in Islamic finance. These include:
1. Mudaraba: This is a contract between an investor and a manager. The investor provides the capital, and the manager invests it in a project. Profits are shared between the investor and the manager, in accordance with a pre-agreed ratio.
2. Musharakah: This is a partnership contract, where two or more parties contribute capital to a project. Profits are shared between them, in accordance with a pre-agreed ratio.
3. Murabaha: This is a contract where the seller buys an asset and then sells it to the buyer at a marked-up price. The buyer pays the seller back in installments.
Overall, the products, services, and contracts used in Islamic finance are designed to be fair, ethical, and in compliance with Shariah law. They provide an alternative to conventional financial products that may be seen as unethical or exploitative.