Perception of riba among the Muslims in Malaysia: an exploratory study

Fontaine, Rodrigue Ancelot Harvey (2019) Perception of riba among the Muslims in Malaysia: an exploratory study. Journal of Islamic Finance, 8 (1). pp. 36-47. ISSN 2289-2109 E-ISSN 2289-2117

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Abstract

This study explores the perception of Muslims in Malaysia’s about ribā, eating pork, drinking alcohol and dating. A pilot questionnaire was developed. To avoid social desirability, the questionnaire treated respondents as informants. 267 informants responded to the pilot. The Cronbach alpha was 0.743. The questionnaire was improved with the addition of four additional questions. A new questionnaire was answered by 351 informants. The Cronbach alpha increased to 0.78. The findings were compared to similar data collected on the perceptions’ towards eating pork, drinking alcohol and dating. About 31% of Muslims have no problems taking ribā. About 40% of Muslims seem unsure about the legal status of ribā. 55% said that Muslims take ribā from time to time, 48% said that Muslims were forced to take ribā while only 36% found that ribā was the logical thing to do. Only 25% of Muslims believed that ribā would a good thing. Further analysis suggests that there are structural reasons why Muslims take ribā. This author suggests that these findings establish a base-line from which future researchers might understand how sins become culturally acceptable or become culturally unacceptable.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	6302/72437
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Qur’ān, ribā, Islamic banking and finance, culturally acceptable sins
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory > HB126.4 Islamic Economics H Social Sciences > HG Finance > HG3368 Islamic Banking and Finance
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences > Department of Business Administration
Depositing User:	Dr. Rodrigue Fontaine
Date Deposited:	31 May 2019 15:23
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2019 08:45
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/72437

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