About Us

ISRA Institute, formerly known as the International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA), was established in 2008 by Bank Negara Malaysia as a premier research institution specialising in applied Shariah in Islamic finance. Globally recognised, ISRA Institute has produced over 200 Shariah research publications, including textbooks, journals, and research papers, widely referenced both locally and internationally.  

The Institute oversees three Centres of Excellence and a Research Management Centre to fulfil its mandate in advancing thought leadership and innovation in Shariah and Islamic finance research.  

  • Centre of Excellence for Applied Shariah in Economics and Finance (CASHiEF): 

    Serves as a bridge between Shariah theory and its practical application in economics and finance. CASHiEF aims to become a leading global research hub that advocates the implementation of robust maqasidic frameworks to ensure that Islamic financial and economic systems align with the ultimate objectives of Shariah.

  • Centre of Excellence for Islamic Social Finance (CoE ISF):

    Leads the implementation of INCEIF’s initiatives to promote financial inclusion and support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Aligned with maqasid al-Shariah, CoE ISF advocates social welfare, compassion, socioeconomic justice, and equitable financial access for all.

  • Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation in Islamic Economics (i-RISE):

     Dedicated to policy-driven and innovative research, i-RISE supports Malaysia’s economic development under the government’s Ekonomi Madani framework by formulating actionable measures for the benefit of the rakyat. The Centre also plays a key role in advancing the MIFC Leadership Council’s priority areas, including knowledge enhancement, capacity building, and institutional development.

  • Research Management Centre (RMC):

     Oversees and manages various research activities, including internal, national, international, and industry grants. RMC also facilitates research commercialisation, organises research-related events, and supports the production of high-impact publications.

As part of its commitment to innovative thought leadership, ISRA Institute also established i-FIKR, an advanced digital database that serves as a comprehensive and authoritative repository of Shariah knowledge in Islamic finance. Following the consolidation exercise between ISRA and INCEIF University in July 2021, ISRA Institute has broadened its research scope beyond applied Shariah to include various fields within Islamic economics and finance. These fields encompass management, business and marketing, corporate finance, entrepreneurship, financial technology (fintech), econometrics, accounting and auditing, the halal economy and social finance. ISRA Institute strives to be the global hub for research and expertise in these areas.

Our Research
Value Propositions

ISRA Institute supports academics and researchers by facilitating industry engagements and promoting professional development to produce impactful research and provide innovative and sustainable solutions.

Worldwide accreditation and high research ranking

Explore our accreditation credentials and the latest rankings that evidence our thought leadership and academic excellence.

World-class scholars with combined expertise in Shariah, Islamic finance and Islamic economics

Get in touch with our experts to venture into potential collaborations and partnerships.

Applied research undertaken by centres of excellence

Discover our diverse research focus areas that provide innovative solutions and discoveries in Islamic economics and finance.

Impactful Research and Publication Projects

Stay updated with the latest impactful initiatives from ISRA Institute.

2023

Maqasid Shariah Index

Research & Innovation
2023

Research on the Shariah issues relating to the resolution of Islamic Banks

Research & Innovation
2023

Developing the Tayyib Framework for Islamic Finance Institutions in Malaysia

Research & Innovation
2023

ESG-i Assessment Framework: Empowering Sustainable and Ethical Growth for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Research & Innovation
2022

Developing Maqasid al-Shariah-based Value-Based Intermediation for Takaful (VBIT) Scorecard Research Project

Research & Innovation
2020

Shariah Endorsement of UNHCR Zakat Fund and Report on Zakat Potential in the Asia Pacific Region

Research & Innovation
2022

Urban Farming

Research & Innovation
2023

Social Impact Report: LZNK Towards World Class Zakat Management Agency

CoE ISF
2020

Shariah Endorsement of UNHCR Zakat Fund and Report on Zakat Potential in the Asia Pacific Region

CoE ISF
2023-2024

Training for EXCO and Non EXCO on Essentials in Islamic Banking & Finance and Islamic Social Finance 1.0 and 2.0

Research & Innovation
2024

Advanced Programme: Islamic Social Finance for Board of Directors

CoE ISF
2024

Social Sustainability Impact Report of Waqaf An-Nur Socio-Economic Development

CoE ISF
2024

Translation of Sheikh al-Qaradawi’s book: The Role of Values and Ethics in the Islamic Economy

Publications & Translations
2023

Islamic Financial System: Principles & Operations

Publications & Translations
2023

Islamic Capital Markets: Principles & Practices

Publications & Translations
2023

Selected Resolutions of MBSB Bank’s Shariah Advisory Committee 2018–2021

Publications & Translations
2022

Translation of Sheikh al-Qaradawi’s book: Conservation of the Environment in Islamic Law

Publications & Translations
2023

Translation of Sheikh al-Zarqa’s book: An Introduction to the General Theory of Obligations in Islamic Jurisprudence

Publications & Translations
2023

Maqasid Shariah Index

Research & Innovation
2023

Research on the Shariah issues relating to the resolution of Islamic Banks

Research & Innovation
2023

Developing the Tayyib Framework for Islamic Finance Institutions in Malaysia

Research & Innovation
2023

ESG-i Assessment Framework: Empowering Sustainable and Ethical Growth for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Research & Innovation
2022

Developing Maqasid al-Shariah-based Value-Based Intermediation for Takaful (VBIT) Scorecard Research Project

Research & Innovation
2020

Shariah Endorsement of UNHCR Zakat Fund and Report on Zakat Potential in the Asia Pacific Region

Research & Innovation
2022

Urban Farming

Research & Innovation
2023

Social Impact Report: LZNK Towards World Class Zakat Management Agency

CoE ISF
2020

Shariah Endorsement of UNHCR Zakat Fund and Report on Zakat Potential in the Asia Pacific Region

CoE ISF
2023-2024

Training for EXCO and Non EXCO on Essentials in Islamic Banking & Finance and Islamic Social Finance 1.0 and 2.0

Research & Innovation
2024

Advanced Programme: Islamic Social Finance for Board of Directors

CoE ISF
2024

Social Sustainability Impact Report of Waqaf An-Nur Socio-Economic Development

CoE ISF
2024

Translation of Sheikh al-Qaradawi’s book: The Role of Values and Ethics in the Islamic Economy

Publications & Translations
2023

Islamic Financial System: Principles & Operations

Publications & Translations
2023

Islamic Capital Markets: Principles & Practices

Publications & Translations
2023

Selected Resolutions of MBSB Bank’s Shariah Advisory Committee 2018–2021

Publications & Translations
2022

Translation of Sheikh al-Qaradawi’s book: Conservation of the Environment in Islamic Law

Publications & Translations
2023

Translation of Sheikh al-Zarqa’s book: An Introduction to the General Theory of Obligations in Islamic Jurisprudence

Publications & Translations
2023

Maqasid Shariah Index

Research & Innovation
2023

Research on the Shariah issues relating to the resolution of Islamic Banks

Research & Innovation
2023

Developing the Tayyib Framework for Islamic Finance Institutions in Malaysia

Research & Innovation
2023

ESG-i Assessment Framework: Empowering Sustainable and Ethical Growth for Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Research & Innovation
2022

Developing Maqasid al-Shariah-based Value-Based Intermediation for Takaful (VBIT) Scorecard Research Project

Research & Innovation
2020

Shariah Endorsement of UNHCR Zakat Fund and Report on Zakat Potential in the Asia Pacific Region

Research & Innovation
2022

Urban Farming

Research & Innovation
2023

Social Impact Report: LZNK Towards World Class Zakat Management Agency

CoE ISF
2020

Shariah Endorsement of UNHCR Zakat Fund and Report on Zakat Potential in the Asia Pacific Region

CoE ISF
2023-2024

Training for EXCO and Non EXCO on Essentials in Islamic Banking & Finance and Islamic Social Finance 1.0 and 2.0

Research & Innovation
2024

Advanced Programme: Islamic Social Finance for Board of Directors

CoE ISF
2024

Social Sustainability Impact Report of Waqaf An-Nur Socio-Economic Development

CoE ISF
2024

Translation of Sheikh al-Qaradawi’s book: The Role of Values and Ethics in the Islamic Economy

Publications & Translations
2023

Islamic Financial System: Principles & Operations

Publications & Translations
2023

Islamic Capital Markets: Principles & Practices

Publications & Translations
2023

Selected Resolutions of MBSB Bank’s Shariah Advisory Committee 2018–2021

Publications & Translations
2022

Translation of Sheikh al-Qaradawi’s book: Conservation of the Environment in Islamic Law

Publications & Translations
2023

Translation of Sheikh al-Zarqa’s book: An Introduction to the General Theory of Obligations in Islamic Jurisprudence

Publications & Translations

Awards and Recognition

Strategic Partners