Derivatives are few and far between in countries where the compatibility of financial transactions with Islamic law requires the development of shari'ah-compliant structures. Islamic finance is governed by the shari'ah, which bans speculation and gambling, and stipulates that income must be derived as profits from the shared generation of goods and services between counterparties rather than interest or a guaranteed return. The paper explains the fundamental legal principles underpinning Islamic finance with a view towards developing a cohesive theory of derivatives subject to shari'ahprinciples. After critically reviewing accepted contracts and the scholastic debate surrounding existing financial innovation in this area, the paper offers an axiomatic perspective on a principle-based permissibility of derivatives under Islamic law.

Financial Engineering in Islamic Finance the Way Forward: A Case for Islamic Derivatives has been envisioned as a sequel to Contracts and Deals in Islamic Finance: A Users Guide to Cash Flows, Balance Sheets, and Capital Structures. Product development in Islamic finance bas been based upon the usage of various sale and lease contracts and combinations of the same. In our current work, we explore the idea even further and look at structures based on the concept of wad. Islamic banks need to develop structures that behave like options and futures, and the shariah community needs to look closely at issues related to forward sales. In this book, we have explored these avenues, made recommendations, and have hopefully encouraged some dialogue in this area.

Shedding light on the way the Islamic finance industry conceptualises the role of financial instruments in a market risk management framework that adheres to the objectives of Islamic jurisprudence, Sherif Ayoub explains the issues surrounding the avoidan

Despite their importance for financial sector development, derivatives are few and far between in countries where the compatibility of capital market transactions with Islamic law requires the development of shariah-compliant structures. Islamic finance is governed by the shariah, which bans speculation, but stipulates that income must be derived as profits from shared business risk rather than interest or guaranteed return. This paper explains the fundamental legal principles of Islamic finance, which includes the presentation of a valuation model that helps illustrate the shariah-compliant synthetication of conventional finance through an implicit derivative arrangement. Based on the current use of accepted risk transfer mechanisms in Islamic structured finance, the paper explore the validity of derivatives from an Islamic legal point of view and summarizes the key objections of shariah scholars that challenge the permissibility of derivatives under Islamic law. In conclusion, the paper delivers suggestions for shariah compliance of derivatives.

The Islamic finance industry faces the challenging task of attempting to reconcile the risk management demands of business entities with the difficulties posed by the seemingly rigid stance taken by some Shari'ah scholars over hedging practices. Offering a fresh perspective, Sherif Ayoub confronts the challenge by reformulating how we might think about the theorisation of economic matters in the Islamic faith. Shedding light on the way the Islamic finance industry conceptualises the role of financial instruments in a market risk management framework that adheres to the objectives of Islamic jurisprudence, readers will come to understand the issues surrounding the avoidance of Riba (usury), Gharar (excessive uncertainty) and Maysir (gambling).

This study addresses derivatives instruments in Islamic finance. It highlights the benefits of these instruments, their legal aspects and the appropriate alternatives. The forward, futures and options contracts in commodity markets are discussed and the arguments in favour of and against these instruments examined. The forward contracts issue includes the possibility of trading gold in forward basis, the forward market for currencies and the possible alternative to manage related risks. With the examination of futures contracts, the main arguments against such a contract are addressed, for example the sale prior to taking possession and the sale of debt hedging and speculation. The study proposes khiyar al-shart and bay al-arbun as tools of risk management and alternatives to options. The sale of pure rights is at the center of the admissibility of options in Islamic law and is investigated comprehensively.