Musharika


Musharika

A partnership in Islamic finance in which all partners contribute capital. For example, if Joe wants to start a business, he may form a musharika into which he places $20,000. A bank may then contribute $40,000 and split profits with Joe based upon some agreed-upon formula.

Musharikas are important in Islamic finance in part because they are the most straightforward. That is, a musharika does not attempt to imitate a debt product, which is controversial. Rather, it simply involves equity financing by an investor. However, musharikas are difficult to structure in some non-Muslim countries, especially the United States, because some banks are not permitted to make equity financing arrangements.