Islamic Finance Guru

In 1730, one man's journey from India to Mecca changed Islamic history forever. Here is the untold story of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi, the scholar claimed by every major Islamic movement today: Born amid the declining Mughal Empire, Shah Waliullah revolutionized Islamic thought in ways that still resonate 3 centuries later. He mastered Islamic sciences by 15, but the real transformation came at 29 during his 2-year stay in Mecca and Medina. Studying with scholars from across the Muslim world, he made a groundbreaking discovery. He realized differences between Islamic schools weren't about fundamentals—just methods. While others chose sides in theological debates, he found value in diverse perspectives. He bridged opposing traditions, connecting reason with revelation and law with spirituality. Returning to India, he found Muslims divided by sectarianism while ordinary believers couldn't access core Islamic texts. His radical response changed Islamic history forever. He translated the Quran into Persian, breaking the tradition that it should remain only in Arabic. This radical move made Islamic knowledge accessible to educated Indians for the first time. His masterpiece "Hujjat Allah al-Baligha" presented a unified theory of Islamic law showing the wisdom behind religious rulings. He proved that revelation and reason are allies, not enemies. The institution he founded in Delhi produced generations of influential scholars who shaped major Islamic movements. His universal appeal explains why vastly different groups—from traditionalists to modernists, Sufis to Hadith scholars—all claim him in their intellectual lineage. Shah Waliullah shows us that great thinkers don't choose between tradition and progress. They honor the past while addressing present challenges. They seek synthesis, not division. They make complex ideas accessible to everyone. Just like what we're trying to do at Islamic Finance Guru. PS. Follow us for more content like the above!

This 1,400-year-old wealth-building advice from a story in the Qur'an is profound. In Surah Kahf, Prophet Musa meets a man named Khidr during his travels. They arrive at a town where inhabitants refuse them food and water - breaking the custom of hospitality. Khidr still stops to rebuild a crumbling wall before leaving the town. Musa, confused and hungry, asks why Khidr helped without requesting payment. Khidr answers: "The wall belonged to 2 orphan boys with a treasure beneath it. Their father was righteous, so Allah willed they should grow up and retrieve their inheritance." The revelation is profound. A father's righteousness created divine protection for his children's wealth long after his death. His good character summoned Allah's help precisely when his sons' future was most vulnerable. This story teaches us 3 crucial lessons for Muslim families today: • Righteousness creates a spiritual safety net for your children's future • True wealth protection goes beyond legal documents to include your relationship with Allah • Good deeds yield tangible benefits for your family in this world, not just the next Modern Muslims invest in wills, trusts, and clever inheritance planning. All necessary tools. Yet this Quranic wisdom suggests the ultimate wealth protection strategy might be our own righteousness. The same God who protected those orphans' treasures thousands of years ago watches over your family today. Your prayers, charity, and character build an invisible shield around your wealth and your children's future. The message from Surah Kahf is clear and practical: Be a righteous parent, and Allah will protect your family in ways no financial instrument can match. This ancient wisdom offers more security in today's uncertain times than any modern wealth strategy.

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.