Shariah governance

National Shariah authority

A Shariah body set up by national law or government, independent of the regulator, whose rulings bind institutions.

The IFSB distinguishes two kinds of centralised Shariah body. A central Shariah authority is established within a regulatory or supervisory body, while a national Shariah authority is typically established by national legislation or government and is independent of the regulator. IFSB-31 asks supervisors to set out how such authorities' pronouncements fit into their framework and what institutions must do to show compliance with them. Where either kind exists, an institution's own board works within its rulings rather than in parallel to them.

Sources

IFSB-31 Guiding Principles for Effective Supervision of Shariah Governance, 2025: central and national Shariah authorities

This entry explains a term; it is not a Shariah ruling. Approving a product is for each institution's own Shariah board and regulator.

Related terms

Central Shariah boardA national or regulator-level Shariah authority whose rulings set or harmonise Shariah positions across a jurisdiction.Shariah supervisory boardAn independent panel of Shariah scholars that approves an institution's products and oversees its Shariah compliance.Shariah governance systemThe institutional arrangements through which an institution ensures independent oversight of its Shariah compliance.Higher Shari'ah Authority (UAE)The UAE's national Shari'ah body whose regulations, standards and resolutions frame institutions' internal Shari'ah committees.