Islamic Finance Guru

IFG literally started as a side project by Ibrahim Khan and Mohsin Patel. What began as something we worked on in the evenings has blossomed into our full-time jobs and a fully-fledged business, now employing over 30 people with offices in London, Cape Town, and Dubai alhamdulillah. With a new tax year, comes new opportunity. And this year we wanted to challenge you guys to start your very own halal side hustle. In 12 months’ time, we’d love to hear your stories – not just about how much you made, but how it changed things for you. Maybe it gave you the confidence to launch something bigger. Maybe it helped cover bills, went towards your Hajj savings, or you spent it on something nice for yourself. Maybe it showed your kids what Muslim entrepreneurship looks like.   Imagine the impact if thousands of us took up this challenge – building skills, growing halal income streams, supporting our families, and lifting our community from the ground up.   That’s the kind of quiet revolution we’re here for.   Let’s make this the year we all take that first step in sha Allah. To learn more about how to get started, read the newsletter down below 👇

Muslim women are massively underrepresented in investing.  We're about to change that on April 15th. This isn't just another networking event, this gathering is exclusively for women. Cur8 Capital: Women Who Invest brings together accomplished female Muslim professionals who've broken barriers in finance. It's about building real confidence to navigate the financial world - without compromising your values. Our remarkable panel features women who've excelled in their spaces: • Hinna Awan - Markets DLT Vice President at J.P. Morgan • Mashrufa Miah Mashrufa Miah - Senior Investment Manager at Sarasin & Partners LLP • Zainab Qasim - Head of Funder Community at Funders In Good And last but not least, the wonderful Mars El Brogy will host the evening, keeping the conversation flowing and relevant. I'll also be personally there to provide an intro at the start of the session but will be available throughout the event. We're hosting at our London office in Stratford with the same excellent caterers from our recent investor event. Spaces are intentionally limited to create meaningful connections. Register now via the link in the comments to secure your place!

📅 The tax year ends April 5th. What you do now could impact your finances for years to come. In this newsletter, we've put together a simple, practical checklist to help you keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. We also share some short high-leverage practical strategies on making the most of the last few nights of Ramadan. Click below to read and if you found it beneficial, share to spread the khayr! #tax #halalinvesting #islamicfinance

🚨 We’re going live this Wed right after the Spring Statement 2025 – with our full reaction AND live Q&A! Ibrahim Khan and Adil Hussain will be breaking down the Chancellor’s announcements, what they mean for you, and sharing their outlook on the economy and your finances. Here’s what we’ll be covering: 🔍 A breakdown of the key changes already announced and set to take effect from April (including stamp duty, National Insurance, and welfare updates) 🎯 Our live reaction to any surprises or curveballs announced on the day 💡 Practical takeaways to help you make smart financial decisions going forward 💬 Your questions answered live – get involved and shape the conversation 🕜 We’re live at 1:30pm GMT on Wednesday (immediately after the budget) Come join us to get involved with the discussion or simply listen in. 👉 Feel free to share this with friends, family, or colleagues who’d find it useful too! We look forward to seeing you there! #UK #SpringStatement2025 #Tax #HalalInvesting

Going Live on this now! Islamic Finance Guru Spring Statement 2025 Live Reaction: What It Means For Muslims.

The financial system isn't broken - it's working exactly as designed. When 97% of money creation happens through interest-based debt, inequality is inevitable. This single fact underpins virtually all economic inequality we see today. When we understand this first principle, arguments about specific Islamic mortgage structures become secondary. The bigger picture requires us to fundamentally change how economic power flows through society. We need to question and reimagine the very foundations of our monetary system. Interest-based debt creation concentrates wealth in fewer hands over time. This system naturally creates winners and losers by design. Islamic finance isn't just about avoiding interest - it's about creating a more equitable economic framework. What would a financial system look like if it wasn't built on debt-based money creation? How might wealth distribution change if we altered this fundamental mechanism? This is why the principles behind Islamic finance matter far beyond religious considerations. They offer an alternative economic paradigm when our current one is clearly failing many. The real conversation we should be having isn't about the technicalities of specific financial products. It's about who controls money creation and how that power shapes our entire society.

Islamic Finance Guru is hosting Spring Statement 2025 Live Reaction: What It Means For Muslims. Make sure to attend it on March 26.

Every Friday, Muslims turn to Surah Al-Kahf. But hidden within is a powerful story that could reshape how you safeguard your family’s future—beyond what you might expect.

God promises us wealth in the Qur'an if we do just ONE thing. There's no better time to start than the last 10 nights: And no, we're not talking about charity here. This action is the most overlooked wealth strategy today. So what is it? Being truly grateful for your blessings. "If you are grateful, I will increase your blessings" (Quran 14:7). Surah Kahf illustrates this perfectly: It tells the story of a wealthy man blessed with two beautiful gardens, abundant crops, and flowing rivers. But instead of being grateful, he became arrogant, believing his wealth was self-made and would never run out. "And he entered his garden while he was unjust to himself. He said, ‘I do not think that this will ever perish...’"(18:35) His companion warned him to be grateful and acknowledge Allah, but he refused. So Allah removed the barakah from his wealth—and he lost everything. "And his fruits were encompassed [by ruin], so he began to turn his hands about [in dismay] over what he had spent on it..." (Qur’an 18:42) Finally, gratitude doesn’t just bring more wealth—it makes life happier, more peaceful, and free of unnecessary stress. 3 ways to incorporate gratitude in your wealth-building journey: 1. Incorporate gratitude into your dhikr routine – Regularly say Alhamdulillah with intention, recognizing Allah as the source of all blessings. 2. Shift your perspective– Remember the hadith: Look at those below you, not those above you (Muslim). This simple mindset shift will help you appreciate what you have. 3. Give thanks through action – Show gratitude by using your wealth wisely—earn halal, spend responsibly, and give to charity. The most valuable asset in your portfolio isn't your highest-performing stock—it's the barakah that comes from ethical earnings and sincere gratitude.

Every Ramadan, people wish they had done more in the last 10 nights. This year, remember to do these 5 things as a minimum: The last 10 nights of Ramadan are upon us. These are the most precious nights of the year—one containing Laylatul Qadr, a night worth more than a thousand months in reward. If we think about this through the lens of spiritual ROI, then these nights are the ultimate investment opportunity. Just like a well-diversified portfolio delivers better financial returns, a diversified approach to worship can exponentially multiply our spiritual rewards. Here’s a balanced strategy for maximizing these nights (do these 5 things): 📊 Self-Evaluation (Muhasabah) – Just like reviewing financial statements, take stock of your spiritual position. Where do you stand? Where do you want to be? 💰 Charity (Sadaqah) – The ultimate high-yield investment. The rewards of giving are multiplied in these nights, and your generosity never depletes your wealth. 🙏 Supplication (Du’a) – The most direct way to request provision from The Ultimate Provider. Be specific, be sincere, and ask for both dunya and akhirah success. 📖 Reflection (Tadabbur) – Deep contemplation of the Qur'an’s wisdom. Think about the difference between risk and rizq—and what true wealth really means. 🔁 Building Consistency – Small, consistent habits will continue to pay spiritual dividends long after Ramadan ends. Make your worship sustainable. The righteous before us invested in good deeds, and God protected their legacy and wealth. Just as we plan for financial security, these nights are our chance to secure something far greater: our hereafter. Let’s make the most out of these last 10 nights.