The Distorsi of Murabahah Margin Calculation at Islamic Banking “XYZ” in Indonesia

Abstract

Murābaḥah financing requires methodological coherence across profit-margin determination, income recognition, and installment allocation to ensure appropriate accounting treatment and adherence to Shariah principles. Against this backdrop, this study examines murābaḥah margin calculations at Islamic Bank “XYZ”, focusing on the concurrent application of a proportional (flat) approach to determine contractual margins and an annuity-based approach to allocate installment payments. A qualitative instrumental case study was conducted using document analysis, semi-structured interviews, and participatory observation. The data were descriptively analyzed and evaluated against the Pedoman Akuntansi Perbankan Syariah Indonesia (PAPSI) 2013 and PSAK 102: Akuntansi Murābaḥah applicable during the study period. The findings demonstrate a lack of methodological alignment between contractual margin determination and installment allocation. Although PAPSI 2013 permits both proportional and annuity methods for murābaḥah income recognition, their accounting implications differ. At Islamic Bank “XYZ”, their concurrent application affects the pattern of margin recognition and the measurement of customers’ outstanding obligations, particularly in early-settlement transactions. The findings underscore that shariah accounting compliance depends not only on permissible measurement methods but also on their consistent application across accounting treatment, contractual execution, and institutional policies. Strengthening methodological coherence and accounting governance is therefore critical to enhancing transparency, faithful representation, and Shariah integrity in murābaḥah financing.