Unveiling the terrain of non-bank Islamic personal financing: current practices, challenges, and future prospects

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the current practices among selected non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) in Malaysia in offering Islamic personal financing and the multiple challenges faced by them.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative research methodology was used, and primary data was collected using semi-structured interviews with 10 respondents consisting of NBFIs' representatives and Shariah advisors.FindingsMost Islamic personal financing practice is based on tawarruq. Among the major challenges faced by NBFIs are the absence of a comprehensive legal framework, Shariah non-compliance risks, cost, human resources and risk management. Recommendations include establishing a proper legal framework and Shariah governance. The study also recommends centralising at the regulatory level aspects such as training, commodity murabahah system and the department performing the Shariah advisory and control functions.Research limitations/implicationsOnline interviews were conducted during the early wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with a limited number of respondents due to people's hesitancy to participate during the pandemic.Practical implicationsThe findings will guide regulators and industry players concerning the challenges that must be addressed and the recommendations that can be considered in ensuring complete adherence to Shariah principles for the offering of personal financing. Eventually, Muslim society in need of cash will benefit from the broader choice of Shariah-compliant personal financing.Social implicationsThe research highlights the weaknesses of self-regulation in guaranteeing Shariah compliance and the need for regulatory intervention.Originality/valueThis is a pioneering empirical study that investigated the offering of Islamic personal financing among NBFIs in Malaysia, the challenges and the way forward.