| Financial institutions operate as financial intermediaries conventionally borrowing funds on the liability side of the balance sheet and lending funds on the asset side. In both cases ‘interest‘ plays a pivotal role in the exercise. The raison d’etre of Islamic banking is derived from the Islamic injunction against riba (interest). Islam prohibits interest on deposits/loans regardless of their nature or purpose. This case examines how, given that riba instruments are forbidden, Islamic financial institutions can operate as financial intermediaries. |