Dr. Muhammad Hanif, PhD in Finance and Fellow CMA Noor, is an Associate Professor in Islamic Banking & Finance with 20 years of experience in higher education, finance, public speaking, and workshops. Driven by his vision of "making a difference in the lives of others through teaching and training," he has contributed to the accounting and finance professions through lectures, career counseling, conference presentations, seminars, workshops, and journal publications. He has authored over 20 research articles (with more than 1,000 citations) in academic and professional journals such as Business Ethics: Environment & Responsibility, International Journal of Emerging Markets, and Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research. He has presented at conferences and conducted workshops in the USA, UK, UAE, Netherlands, and Pakistan. His research interests include Islamic Financing, Asset Pricing, Financial Markets, and International Trade. Dr. Hanif has served as an editorial board member/reviewer for various journals and has received numerous awards, including gold medals in M.Com and MS-Finance, Best University Teacher, Best Researcher, and Best Paper Award (USA). He has also held leadership roles such as head of the Business School, the academic council, board of studies, and research council.
This study documents the comparative financial performance of the Islamic Banking Services Industry (IBSI) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. After drawing the performance evaluation framework (based on the CAMEL framework), the research conducted data analysis of the Islamic Banking Services Industry (IBSI) in the GCC region for 31 quarters (2013Q4–2021Q4). The analysis examines capital adequacy, asset quality, management performance, earnings, and liquidity management. Objectively classified data trends are reported through graphs. Additionally, the research documents internal determinants of financial performance. Findings suggest that the GCC-IBSI has shown overall progress in achieving primary objectives (commercial performance), including healthy capital adequacy, cost control, equity returns, and liquidity management. Capital adequacy, cost control, and liquidity management significantly contribute to financial performance. Managerial implications include cost control, reduction in non-performing loans, and prudent liquidity management. There exist opportunities in the GCC-IBSI for investors, given the mismatch in demand and supply of Islamic financial services. This study contributes to the literature by documenting findings on the achievements of the primary objective of IBSI in multiple GCC-IBSI markets comparatively.
This study aims to document the impact of oil price variations on generating stock returns in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets during the COVID-19 era. It documents the pandemic era results from January 2020 to October 2022 by employing cointegration, Granger causality, and time-varying coefficient-vector autoregression techniques on daily data. The findings suggest two-way causality between all stock indices and the oil market. Time-dependent relationships were observed during the review period. The findings (based on regression and variance decomposition) indicate that although the reliance of the GCC stock markets was not on oil alone, oil had a significant impact during the study period. It is recommended that investors not consider diversifying portfolios in GCC stocks and oil markets to optimize benefits. The findings are expected to enhance the understanding of academics, market players, regulators, and investors regarding relationships among GCC stocks and oil markets. This study contributes to the literature by documenting the impact of the oil market on stocks during an abnormal period of the COVID-19 pandemic, considering time-varying parameters in a net oil exporting region.
We document the contribution of Islamic finance development to economic growth by studying a global sample of countries engaged in providing Islamic financial services. Fifteen countries are included in the sample based on significant Islamic banking share in total domestic banking assets. Results are documented through the application of the Panel regression (EGLS) method for the period 2001–2020. Findings suggest a positive contribution of the Islamic Financial Services Industry (IFSI) to economic growth in sample countries in multiple regression settings. Additionally, a range of control variables, including domestic credit to the private sector, inflation, and trade openness, contribute significantly to economic growth. We recommend the creation of a conducive environment for the promotion of IFSI on account of the built‐in stability feature and positive contribution to economic growth. We also recommend overall development in the financial sector of selected economies, including credit availability to the private sector and trade openness. Our study helps in understanding the dynamics of economic growth in economies with a dual banking system (conventional & Islamic). This article contributes to the literature by studying a larger sample of countries engaged in the practice of Islamic finance and considering the significance of the market share of assets under IFSI.
Purpose — The study documents the performance of the Islamic banking services industry (IBSI) in light of the Islamic finance objectives, notably financial stability, equitable distribution of wealth, and social responsibility. Design/Methodology/Approach — After drawing the performance evaluation framework based on the objectives, the research conducts a balance sheet analysis of the IBSI in Pakistan for 32 quarters (2013Q4–2021Q3). The analysis examines sources and uses of funds by looking at the application of financial contracts and sectoral distribution of financing. Objectively classified data trends are reported through graphs. Findings — Findings suggest that the domestic IBSI has shown progress in achieving primary and intermediate objectives, including commercial performance, contribution to equitable wealth distribution, and financial stability. However, the industry’s in-practice business models lack any significant contribution to the social sector, which represents a more advanced objective. Originality/Value — The contributions to the literature include development of a performance evaluation framework based on Islamic finance objectives, and documentation of findings on the IBSI’s achievements in Pakistan. Research Implications — The study recommends that regulators develop a legal framework for business models of the IBSI. It also recommends that managers of domestic Islamic banks include the social sector as well as agricultural and rural areas in financing and investment portfolios.
Islamic Financial Services Industry (IFSI) crosses the age of 40 years, and sufficient empirical evidence exists to evaluate in light of the distinctive aspirations. This study fills the gap in the literature by evaluating the performance of IFSI in light of Islamic finance objectives—financial stability, equitable distribution of wealth and social responsibility; Shari’ah principles, and professional practices. Our investigation documents the achievements based on real accounting data from 23 countries, and the suitability of tools in practice to achieve the stated objectives by promotors of IFSI. Findings suggest that the objectives of IFSI have been achieved to an extent. However, visible contribution to the achievement of socio-economic justice is yet to emerge. Practical application of tools shows divergence (in spirit) from the original design, primarily to achieve integration and coherence with the prevailing conventional financial system. IFSI needs collaborative efforts to overcome the challenges at hand.
Abstract: This study analyses the international trade in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) region, covering exports, imports, and balance of trade (BoT) from 2007 to 2016. The analysis is conducted by various lenses, including whole OIC as a unit, objectively classified economic zones, and economic cooperation unions. Findings suggest that OIC-region’s contribution to global GDP and international trade is significantly lesser than the size of the community. Performance in international trade and BoT is good in the initial years of analyses; however, declines in the final years of the review period. Performance of two economic zones (South & Southeast Asia, and Africa) of OIC-region is quite unsatisfactory, based on the size of the communities. Middle Eastern zone performs well, relatively, within the OIC region. Intra- OIC trade is significantly lesser than the potential. OIC-region needs to capitalise on abundant Human and natural resources to achieve higher economic growth and exports.
Purpose This study aims to evaluate the role of the prevailing currency systems in achieving (or departing from) the socio-economic objectives of a progressive and just society; i.e. featuring stability and equitable distribution of wealth. Design/methodology/approach After documenting historical developments in currency systems, the study reviews the Islamic perspective on the matter. Features of an ideal currency system are listed and then a critical evaluation of existing currency systems – fiat, banking and cryptocurrency – is undertaken. Findings It is found that existing currency systems – fiat, banking and cryptocurrency – are not compatible with the socio-economic objectives of a forward-looking, progressive society, which upholds transparency and justice as its core values. The study documents that Sharīʿah norms have no preference or dislike for any of the existing currency systems. Any prudent currency system compatible with the objectives of the Islamic financial system (i.e. stability and equitable distribution of wealth) is acceptable. A single international reserve currency (with country-specific legal tendering) is subject to the risk of destabilisation across global markets. Practical implications This paper recommends autonomy of central banking, the spending of seigniorage for the welfare of community members, development of asset-backed currencies (following ṣukūk structures), as well as multiple international reserve currencies and joining of hands by professionals and Sharīʿah scholars to design a currency system compatible with the Islamic financial system. This paper’s recommendation is against the adoption of cryptocurrency that lacks the backing of real assets. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by evaluating the compatibility of existing currency systems in the achievement of socio-economic objectives of a welfare state which seeks to uphold justice and equitable resource distribution as core values in the financial system.
This study documents the literary developments and classifies the literature in the area of Islamic Financial Services Industry (IFSI). Our findings are based on articles published in selected Islamic finance specialized journals for six years (2012-2017). Classification is based on multiple factors including subject/specialization areas, country of origin and publications, research methodology, and yearly progress in investigations. Findings suggest that the majority of publications are in the area of general Islamic finance and follow qualitative research methodology. Malaysia and Pakistan were found to be the most significant contributors to the literature. Although the results of empirical studies are mixed, however, the majority favor resilience of IFSI to the global financial crisis (GFC). The potential role of IFSI in poverty alleviation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) has also been highlighted. Demand for IFSI with quality services exists. The literature highlights the lack of Islamic financial literacy and skepticism about Sharīʿah compliance in practice. Need for regulatory framework and application of Islamic accounting is documented. Future research needs to focus on an objective assessment of IFSI in the light of Islamic finance objectives. Also, further investigations are needed to highlight the social role of IFSI – with a focus on CSR, zakāh, waqf and microfinance. Additionally, certain specialized areas including accounting, management, and corporate governance need more attention in future researches.
This study documents the impact of price variations in global markets, specifically oil, on stock returns at Pakistan stock exchange (PSX). We select three global markets (oil, gold and currency exchange) and two PSX indices (conventional and Islamic) for a period 2009-2020 to provide evidence. Monthly data for the selected time series is used for analysis. Analysis techniques include descriptive statistics, stationarity testing, Johansen cointegration, correlation and regression analysis. Findings suggest joint long-run co-movements of selected markets. Regression results indicate the significance of oil prices at 1% level, with positive signs, in the stock return generation process at PSX (for both indices conventional and Islamic). Other selected markets (gold and currency exchange) are although significant but at a higher degree, with negative signs. For the oil market, results confirm the demand-pull inflation hypothesis in Pakistani market. Results also confirm shifting to gold market by investors in the period of reductions in stock returns. Finally, depreciation of domestic currency discourages investors in buying stocks. We recommend investors to have an eye on oil, gold and currency markets while making investment decisions at PSX. We also recommend to policymakers to take timely actions for exchange rate stability, to avoid the outflow of capital. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study documenting the influence of global markets on stock returns at PSX in recent years.
Purpose – Islamic capital markets, i.e. ICMs, featured as socially responsible investments, less levered and more reflective of the real sector, are a recent development in financial markets showing an impressive growth and offering the potential for portfolio diversification benefits. The purpose of this study is to understand the long-run integration of ICMs in the Asia/Pacific region. Design/methodology/approach – This sample includes ICMs of Asia/Pacific region (such as Pakistan, India, China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia) for 280 weeks between 2011 and 2016. Selected indexes are FTSE Islamic except for Pakistan and Indonesia. Evidence was obtained through the application of correlation, unit root, Johansen cointegration and Granger causality tests. Findings – This study documents the results of the integration of ICMs based on developmental stage, geographic location, economic cooperation and shared religious beliefs/civilization. Partial support was observed for all hypotheses: integration of markets based on economic grouping, location, economic treaties and shared civilization. The Japanese market was the most integrated, while the Indian and Malaysian markets are the least. Evidence supports the shift of leadership role from advanced markets to emerging markets. Practical implications – Selected diversification opportunities are available for global Islamic as well as conventional investors. This study recommends closer cooperation among Muslim majority countries of the region, as well as the effective use of economic cooperation treaties for joint economic growth and prosperity. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by providing evidence on the integration of ICMs in an economically important region (Asia/Pacific) that is witnessing an increasing role in the global gross domestic product and international trade.