CHAPTER 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION
This chapter traces the background of the study covering definition of AR-RAHNU system, its history and the benefits that make it accepted even among non Muslim society. And then, a comparative analysis is done between AR-RAHNU with conventional pawnshop. Since this study was done at AR-RAHNU Bank Rakyat, thus the background also will cover a little about Bank Rakyat and then goes through its AR-RAHNU system. In this chapter, problem statement, objective of the study, scope and significance of the study also be presented.
1.1 Background of Study
People say diamonds are women’s best friend while gold jewelry is their true friend. In reality, this is at least true among Malaysian women. The reason is, other than to enhance women’s look, the jewellery also could be functioned as collateral whenever cash is needed by using pawn broking financing. As we can see, pawnshop has become a common activity to Malaysian especially among the Malays community and has an overwhelming responses among the poor and middle class in Malaysia to have financial sources quickly and easily. On that basis, many pawnshops and pawnbrokers exist to offer this service. Pawnbroking is a business of advancing loans to customers who have pledged their personal belongings as security. The pawnbroker's trade is one of the oldest known, having existed 2,000–3,000 years ago in China, as well as in ancient Greece and Rome.

1.1.1 CURRENT SCENARIO
Among the current scenarios that exist and practiced in our country these days are:

* There are many financial institutions which had offered services by practicing conventional financial transaction which are totally contradict with Islamic thought and teaching. * There are fairly substantial numbers of illegal services in finance field and unregistered with authority, in which some people do not recognize or