Al-Muzara'ah
Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): AL-MUZARA'AH (January 2026)

Prospects and Challenges of Musharakah and Musharakah Mutanaqisah Financing in Islamic Microfinance: Case Studies of Indonesia and Malaysia

Norma Md Saad (Department of Economics, Kuliyyah of Economics and Management, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Gombak, 53100 Selangor, Malaysia)
Qurroh Ayuniyyah (Department of Islamic Economics, Post-Graduate School, Ibn Khaldun University, Jl. KH. Sholeh Iskandar Km. 2 Kampus UIKA, Kota Bogor 16162, Jawa Barat, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Jan 2026

Abstract

Musharakah, a unique Islamic mode of financing, involves joint contributions of capital and labor by both financier and entrepreneur. This profit and loss sharing (PLS) contract is considered one of the most ideal Islamic financing models, embodying the principles of cooperation and partnership. A specific application of this model is the diminishing partnership contract, known as Musharakah Mutanaqisah (MM). This study explores the implementation of musharakah and MM in Islamic microfinance through a qualitative comparative case study of two institutions: Bank Pembiayaan Rakyat Syariah (BPRS) Amanah Ummah Bogor, Indonesia, and Entrepreneurship Development Program (i-Taajir) under the Centre for Islamic Economics IIUM-CIMB Islamic Bank, Malaysia. Data were collected through interview, financial reports, institutional documents, and secondary sources, and analyzed thematically. The findings reveal that while both institutions apply musharakah-based financing to empower micro-entrepreneurs, they face challenges related to risk management, regulatory frameworks, and limited client understanding. Managerial implications suggest the need for better financial literacy programs, internal capacity building, and policy support to optimize musharakah implementation in microfinance settings. This study offers recommendations for enhancing the sustainability and operational effectiveness of equity-based Islamic financing models in the microfinance sector.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jalmuzaraah

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance Other

Description

Al-Muzara'ah –Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance, is a collaborative journal of the Department of Islamic Economics, Bogor Agricultural University with the Indonesian Association of Islamic Economist (IAEI). The aim of the journal is to communicate and as the media of academic ...