The islamic finance industry has come a long way since its inception. Despite its asset value of USD4.5 trillion representing only 2.5% of the global market share, its relatively recent conception renders the contributions of its key players indisputable!

It is worth pointing out, however, that the industry has been dominated by debt financing instruments – with Murabaha making up over 90% of the total financing in a lot of banks across the world! This debt-centric economy, according to some scholars, has not only stagnated the industry’s product development and innovation but has played a central role in the notorious financial crises!

The above realities boil down to one major issue, which may be expressed in the following question:

“Are the effects of a debt-dominated economy so detrimental so as to render the claim that the Shariah PREFERS the equity-based model over it justifiable????”

The well-reputed Assoc. Prof. Dr Ziyaad Mahomed, Shari’ah Advisor and Lead Shari’ah Researcher at INCEIF University’s Centre of Excellence for Islamic Social Finance (CoE ISF) has answered the industry’s call and agreed to sit down with Adl Advisory’s Mohamed Sano, Head of Training and Education, to put an end the debate on this long-standing issue, or does he?