The growth of Sharia-compliant finance services has led to a similar growth in technology that is advancing and supporting sharia compliancy for businesses. Sharia-compliant fintech has emerged as driver of innovation and ensuring businesses can operate efficiently and within the rules of Islamic finance.By leveraging technology, Sharia-compliant businesses are able to operate in a compliant way whilst also ensuring they are not left behind in the fintech revolution.
In addition, businesses can use technology to offer their clients and customers opportunities to become more engaged in socially responsible and ethical financial activities.
Technology that supports Sharia-compliant businesses to operate also supports Islamic finance principles relating to money, financial transactions, and any form of investment.
WHAT IS SHARIA-COMPLIANT TECHNOLOGY?
When we talk about Sharia-compliant financial technology (fintech), we refer to technological solutions that adhere to Islamic finance rules relating to Sharia-compliant transactions and services.
The fintech can take the form of online tools or cutting edge technology that includes artificial intelligence, blockchain, online banking, Sharia compliant banking, and apps that support Muslim businesses.
Sharia-compliant technology needs to ensure it is:
- Compliant
- Transparent
- In accordance with Islamic finance rules
- Accessible
These services and products were mainly not compliant with Sharia rules as they relied heavily on interest based lending (riba) which is strictly prohibited in Islam.
With the advent and growth of Islamic finance, the fintech industry has developed many different types of technology to support businesses and customers who want to carry out business transactions whilst remaining true to their Islamic principles.
THE INTERSECTION OF ETHICS AND FINTECH
The combination of technology and ethics is a key component of Sharia compliant finance. Islamic finance rules are underpinned by concepts of social justice and ethics, and it therefore follows that technology must also play its role in implementing and amplifying ethics.
Leveraging technology within Islamic finance via fintech platforms and services means that businesses are increasing their ethical standing and social responsibility.
Sharia compliant fintech platforms and products needs to ensure that interest is prohibited, excessive uncertainty or ambiguity is avoided, and there is complete transparency. What technology facilitates within the Islamic finance sector, is efficiency, broader accessibility, and transparency. These are all key ethical concepts within the Islamic finance framework.
Smart contracts and decentralised platforms lead to greater accessibility and efficiency. They take the control away from large organisations and ensure that previously excluded financial groups can partake in business, whether as owners or customers.
FINTECH SOLUTIONS
Technological solutions enable automated compliance, increased monitoring, reporting, real time tracking, and enhanced risk assessment and mitigation. These all align with the ethical values of Islamic finance and Sharia rules.
As technology and fintech solutions continue to evolve and come to the market, they are playing a crucial role in the accessibility of Sharia-compliant business finance. This is done through technology that enhances transparency, accessibility and offers innovation.
Let's have a look at some of the solutions that enable businesses to operate in a Sharia-compliant way:
- Smart contracts: smart contracts facilitate automation and transparency for all parties and therefore reducing any risk of exploitation and future disputes.
- Blockchain: blockchain technology is centralised this means control moves away from the conventional bank model and market. Blockchain also reduces the risk of fraud.
- Digital banking: online banking platforms have not only introduced global audiences to more finance options, but these platforms are often user friendly and Sharia compliant. Customers and businesses are able to access current accounts, business accounts and financial solutions at the press of a few buttons.
- Crowdfunding: these platforms are fast emerging as a Sharia compliant form of raising capital and investment. Many Muslim businesses and ventures across the world have created crowdfunding campaigns when they have not been able to find Sharia-compliant funding options for their project.
- AI: the future is definitely becoming more automated and managed. When it comes to the financial services economy, it is fair to say AI has the potential to revolutionise the products and services that already exist.
- Regulation tech (Regtech): for many Muslim businesses including those in the healthtech sector (dentists, pharmaceutical companies, health centres) regtech is critical. Not only does it ensure regulatory compliance, but is also essential for monitoring and maintaining Sharia compliancy.
The basic principles that underpin Islamic finance are rooted in financial stability and security. For businesses, this includes an element of corporate social responsibility. The advances in technology mean that fintech has provided businesses with the ability to compete on equal or better ground than those operating in the conventional banking system.
Technological innovations including online banking platforms have enhanced compliance with Sharia law. For example, online platforms have led to increased:
- Transparency
- Accessibility of Sharia compliant products
- Automation of compliance monitoring and reporting
- Secure transactions
- Educational information
- Customised Sharia-compliant solutions
It's not only businesses that are benefiting from compliant fintech solutions.
Consumers and customers are also becoming deeply ingrained in new and innovative digital ecosystems. Just consider how many people use online banking apps to monitor their spending, make obligatory payments such as zakat and sadaqa online, or donate their accrued interest payments in halal ways.
For businesses within the health sector such as dentists and pharmaceutical organisations, technology has enabled them to operate in a Sharia compliant way.
Technology aids businesses to plan their strategy whilst also ensuring they continue to adhere to Islamic finance principles.Technology is used to improve accuracy and efficiency by providing real time data. Sharia compliance can often be automated within the technological systems those in the health sector use.