Having an Islamic transactional account, which is designed to operate in accordance with Sharia principles, comes with certain limitations and considerations. These limitations are based on the Islamic teachings and the avoidance of activities considered haram (forbidden) in Islam. Here are some key limitations of Islamic transactional accounts:
1. No Interest (Riba): Islamic banking strictly prohibits the payment or receipt of interest (riba). As a result, Islamic transactional accounts do not earn or pay interest on the account balance. Instead, they may offer profit-sharing or other halal alternatives to generate returns on funds.
2. Limited Investment Options: Islamic transactional accounts avoid investing in businesses or industries that are considered haram. This includes businesses involved in alcohol, gambling, tobacco, pork, and other unethical activities. Therefore, the investment options for Islamic accounts may be more limited compared to conventional accounts.
3. Restrictions on Speculation: Islamic finance discourages speculative activities and excessive uncertainty (Gharar). As a result, certain complex financial products or trading practices that involve speculation are not allowed in Islamic transactional accounts.
4. No Fixed-Term Deposit: Traditional fixed-term deposits that offer a fixed rate of return over a specified period are not permissible in Islamic banking. Instead, Islamic banks offer profit-sharing investment accounts, which are based on profit and loss sharing principles (Mudarabah).
5. Charges and Fees: Islamic banks may charge service fees for certain transactions or services. However, these fees should be transparent and based on the actual cost of providing the service, as opposed to charging interest on overdrafts or late payments.
6. Asset-Backed Transactions: Islamic finance emphasizes the concept of tangible asset backing for transactions. This means that transactions should be linked to real assets or commodities. As a result, certain conventional financial products that are purely based on paper-based transactions may not be offered by Islamic banks.
7. Compliance with Sharia Standards: For an account to be considered Islamic, the bank must comply with Sharia standards and principles. This compliance might involve additional administrative or auditing costs, which could be reflected in the fees or charges of Islamic transactional accounts.
It’s important to note that the limitations mentioned above are in line with the Islamic principles governing finance and banking. People who opt for Islamic transactional accounts do so because of their religious beliefs and the desire to engage in financial activities that align with Islamic teachings. For individuals who do not follow Islamic principles, conventional banking may offer a wider range of products and services.