Best Islamic Banking and Finance sites

Below are some of the best Islamic Finance sites on the internet. Islamic banking and finance refers to a system of banking and finance that is consistent with the principles of Sharia law (or Islamic law) whose primary sources are the Koran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. The rules of Islamic commercial jurisprudence are known as fiqh al-mu’amalat.  The focus of fiqh al-mu’amalat is what contracts are permissible and desirable (halal) and which are prohibited and undesirable (haram). A small group of Islamic scholars in each country determine if a product is Sharia compliant. Sharia law prohibits the payment of interest (riba) on the borrowing of money and also forbids the investment of money in businesses that provide goods or services that are contrary to its principles, such as alcohol, tobacco gambling or pornography or companies that have too high debt levels (typically meaning more than 33% of stockmaket capitalization). In addition, the use of money to finance speculation (qimar) or gambling (maysir) is prohibited as are contracts involving ambiguity as to subject matter (gharar). Islamic banking asset are currently estimated at about $1.3 trillion or less than 1% of banking assets globally. See the top Islamic Finance sites below.

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  wdibf.com
The world database for Islamic banking and finance. Lists organizations, scholars with profiles, magazines, journals and useful resources. Plenty of banks that are involved in Islamic finance are also listed.
 
Islamicbanker.com
This is a superb resource for those interested in Islamic Finance as there is the latest news and research articles. There is also a database by country. The education section covers a wide range of topics and terms. The discussion board is also informative.
 
Globalislamicfinancemagazine.com
This is a leader magazine for information of Islamic finance. There is news, articles and an active forum. There is also an extensive glossary of Islamic Finance terms. There are also interviews with participants in the Islamic Banking and Finance sector.
 
Topics.bloomberg.com/islamic-finance
The Bloomberg website has a nice Islamic Finance section with the latest news from the sector. There are also some videos that look at the developments in the sector.
 
Guardian.co.uk/islamic-finance
The Guardian newspaper has a nice Islamic finance section which is updated from time to time with news and analysis of Islamic finance.
 
Ifsb.org
The Islamic Financial Services Board is an international organisation that promotes and enhances the soundness and stability of the Islamic financial services industry by issuing global prudential standards and guiding principles for the industry covering  banking, capital markets and insurance sectors. There are also research, seminars and conferences.
sectors. 
 
 twitter.com/islamicfinance
This twitter Islamic finance feed is very useful as it regularly updates links to important news stories published on the web.
 
UKifc.com
The Islamic Finance Council UK is an organization working to promote awareness of the industry both locally and globally. The IFC works with government
bodies, central banks, communities, cross faith religious bodies and  private sector organisations. The events section has useful Islamic finance material.
 
DB.com/islamicfinance
The Deutsche Bank Islamic Finance page has a useful introduction to Islamic Finance including its history. There is also an informative news section.
 
Ethicainstitute.com
The Institute of Islamic Finance run courses and training for the Certificate for Islamic Finance Executive. There is a nice Q&A section.
 
IslamicFinanceNews.com
A useful resource for Islamic Banking and Finance news. There is a very useful glossary of key terms. To get maximum benefit you need to be a subscriber.
 
RealIslamicBanking.com
This website has a variety of articles on Islamic banking and finance.
 
IslamicFinance.de
This is a blog that in addition to covering the Islamic finance sector manages to also link to the very latest news stories. There are also links to articles and plenty of websites. There is also a very informative wiki.
 
twitter.com/islamfinance
Michal Gassner is an expert on keeping abreast of the latest Islamic finance news via his twitter site.
 
Businessislamica.com
A useful resource with the latest news from the sector. There are articles covering Islamic investments, Sukuk bonds, the Global outlook and capital markets.
 
Zawya.com/middle-east/Islamic
Zawya has the latest middle east news and analysis of Islamic Finance in the region. Covers most countries in the middle east. The editors daily pick is very informative.
 
Deloittes.com/IslamicFinance 
The Deloittes website has a nice section of explanatory videos that explain in some detail Islamic finance and a range of associated concepts such as Musaharakah,  Mudarabah rabarah Ijarah, Salam,  Istisna and Sukuk.
 
IslamicFinance.com
This site provides a good overview of developments in the world of islamic finance. There are links to publications and relevant market size information. There is also a nice section on the principles regarding islamic finance.
 
Sukuk.com
This site is a community site for those involved in the issuance of sukuk securities. As well as news there is an excellent education center explaining issues relating to sukuk securities.
 
globalislamicfinancemagazine.com
This site is a great way to keep up to date with developments in islamic finance. We like the fact that the developments in Islamic finance can be followed in different regions.
 
islamic-finance-resources.blogspot.co.uk
This blog is a very useful site for islamic finance and related resources. It started as a grassroot initiative started by industry professionals around the world.

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