Shariah Contracts in Private Equity and Its Prospect for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME)

This study explores the significance of contracts in private equity applications, particularly in addressing Shariah compliance concerns inherent in traditional private equity structures. Private equity plays a crucial role in funding and nurturing SMEs, aligning with equity-based activities that are conducive to Islamic finance principles. Using a qualitative Grounded Theory approach, the study involves interviews with various stakeholders in the financial industry. Grounded theory is an iterative and inductive method that systematically analyses data to uncover patterns and themes, generating hypotheses or theories derived directly from the data. The study identifies murabahah, ijarah, mudarabah, and musharakah as suitable contracts for private equity applications. These findings illuminate opportunities for financial industry participants, particularly SMEs, to innovate and access funding through private equity avenues.