Fintech Startup In Ethical Finance | Sharia-Compliant

In the last few decades, the halal travel industry has seen a huge increase in demand. The intersection of halal travel and the Islamic finance industry has led to a huge market catering to the needs of Muslim travellers looking for travel options that are halal. This synergy between the two industries reflects the growing need for Islamically compliant travel options. Islamic finance is offering the halal travel industry with Sharia compliant finance options in order to widen the scope of halal travel products and services.

Whether you are travelling solo, as a family with children, for a meeting or conference, the demand for halal accommodation and halal travel is growing. As the demand grows so too does the availability of halal products and services on the market.

Halal Travel

It may seem like a growing trend, but the halal travel industry is here to stay. With millions of Muslims spread across the globe, and with higher levels of disposable income earmarked for travel, the halal travel industry is booming.

The halal travel industry includes a huge range of offerings and services. These services are designed to cater to the needs of discernible Muslims who want to ensure they are compliant with the requirements of their faith, but still able to travel and see the world.

It may seem to be a niche market, but the fact that the demand currently outstrips the supply in many countries shows that this trend is likely to grow. The demand is driven by a Muslim population that places value on authentic experiences and Sharia compliancy.

WHY DO WE NEED HALAL TRAVEL OPTIONS?

Halal travel is important for many different reasons. For Muslims who want to travel without breaching Islamic rules, halal travel offers the option of travel that aligns with personal beliefs.

However, the importance of halal travel goes beyond religious and personal preferences. It encompasses cultural, economic and social dimensions.

Halal travel helps to diversify the travel industry and create respectful and inclusive tourism experiences for Muslims. Not only that, but halal travel goes a long way in contributing to the cultural understanding, economic development, and ethical sustainability of areas in the world that are under-exposed and underprivileged.

The more we invest in areas that are suitable for halal travel the more inclusive we make the world. There are many issues facing different countries in the world, so opening them up to travel and Muslims travellers can boost the economy in a way that makes them a stakeholder in the economy and travel market.

Many Muslims want their money to be spent in countries that align with their personal values and goals. For example, Muslims would probably not seek to travel to countries with precarious political positions such as Israel.

There is a lot of information online that you can use to research travel options. More Halal Travel and Trade Fair conferences are popping up to help you make more ethical Sharia compliant decisions.

Family Friendly Holidays

The main aspect of halal holidays is that they should be Sharia compliant. However, halal holidays are also all about having a family friendly holiday. Most halal resorts cater to families and promote family activities.

This creates a welcoming environment for Muslim families looking to enjoy their break. Halal travel encourages diversity when it comes to travel and tourism. Exploring Islamic history and culture is a key part of halal travel and is increasing in popularity as the Muslim population continues to grow globally.

The increased demand for halal travel also contributes to global connectivity. It encourages and fosters relationships between regions, leaders and countries all actively catering to Muslims.

This interconnectedness is important in bringing unity to Muslims and ensuring that their needs are catered to. It is important to mention that halal travel also facilitates sustainable and ethical tourism. For example, Muslims are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact and they are encouraged to prioritise sustainability and ethical living in all aspects of their lives, including travel.

Principles Of Halal Travel

The key components of halal travel include the following:

• Halal package deals: travel agencies who offer halal travel must ensure that the package itself is halal. This starts at examining the way the company operates, so it must avoid any form of interest and ensure that the package is linked to travel that does not contravene any Sharia rules and adhere to the Islamic lifestyle.
• Accommodation: halal hotels are top priority when it comes to halal travel. Hotels and resorts should be able to provide facilities that permit and promote prayer and ablution. In addition, halal hotels offer segregated swimming pools and saunas and fully halal dining options. We would not expect to see any alcohol or pork in halal hotels.
• Itineraries: some halal travel operators go further and offer trips that offer Islamic and spiritual enlightenment.
• Muslim-friendly destination: of course, when looking for a halal holiday you would want to visit somewhere that is either in a Muslim country or is Muslim friendly.
• Islamic travel insurance: takaful, also known as Islamic insurance, is becoming more popular in the halal travel industry sector. It offers customers the option of obtaining insurance coverage that is Sharia compliant.
• Look for destinations that are not based on exploitation or unfair wage labour practices.
• When approaching halal travel companies, look at their leadership, their governance, the service they offer, the kinds of project they are involved in, and their Sharia compliancy.
• Don't be scared to ask questions of any halal travel company such as who do you bank with? What are your principles and morals and how do they align with Islam? Do they trips offer private spaces for women? What is their governance and decision making process and where do they feel success lies? Remember, our due diligence should include information on how the company runs and if it is ethical so feel free to have those conversations with any company marketing halal travel options.

There are already so many halal travel options and available in many a diverse region including Turkey, Indonesia, The Middle East, Malaysia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Bosnia. You will also find many a dedicated internet forum and platform relating to halal travel if you need more knowledge from a like minded community. Countries like Spain and India that have great Islamic history and heritage are also good areas to explore.

As the halal travel market continues to expand, so too does the list of options.

Islamic Finance And Halal Travel

Islamic finance is playing a large role in the growth of the halal travel industry. If the Islamic finance market had not seen such growth in recent years, then the halal travel industry would not have been boosted. Islamic finance provides the halal travel industry with access to Sharia compliant business and finance options.

The components of Islamic finance play a key role in shaping and supporting the halal travel industry through funding. This is done not only by influencing the way financial transactions are dealt with, but also by how to manage the economic landscape to remain Sharia compliant.Providing access to Sharia compliant finance means the Islamic finance industry can support halal travel companies.

Providing critical cash and capital ensures the halal travel industry can continue to grow. Not only is this good for international trade and partnerships, but it means Muslims can travel knowing they are not breaching the terms of their faith. Knowledge is important.

The growth in the market also means that there are opportunities for investors to indulge in socially responsible and ethical investments in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The halal travel industry has encouraged those with entrepreneurship to expand their horizons and widen the offerings currently on the market.

Halal travel continues to go through an evolution where the interplay of human beings wanting Sharia compliant travel converges with the travel industry to create the perfect package for Muslims. The halal travel sector relies on building relationships across the globe, and ensuring each product on the halal travel market is compliant and enjoyable. After all, many of us travel to a different area in order to explore and relax.

Halal travel isn't only about travel. It's about ensuring that there is attention to the holistic needs of travellers. This includes spiritual fulfilment, access to prayer, compliance with rules about segregation, assurance of halal certified products, and having some cultural resonance with the area visited.

If you're a business owner unsure about what's your best option for an unsecured business loan, you're not alone in being uncertain. On the face of it, there's an overwhelming choice of business loan providers, along with many different types of loan. How do you know what's right for you?The last thing you want is to sign up to a finance agreement only to discover:

• It costs you more than you expected.
• It's not as flexible as you hoped.
• You can't repay early without paying penalties.

To avoid problems like these, it pays to plan ahead and to assess your options carefully.Here are some alternative forms of business finance, not all of which are unsecured loans.

The traditional business loan from your bank

Years ago bank managers were open to taking a risk on lending money to business owners. But as layers of regulation have been added over the last few years, the historic banks have become more cautious about who they will support by providing finance. Even opening a business bank account is much more difficult than it used to be.

While regulation provides important protections to both finance providers and borrowers, the historic banks often add to this bureaucracy with their own internal processes and requirements. While these loans are usually unsecured, the bank wants some form of personal guarantee from the directors.

That said, every year businesses raise working capital by borrowing millions of pounds from the long-established banks, usually through fixed-term loans.

Borrowing from your friends and family

For many business owners, particularly those launching a new business, friends and family are the initial source of finance. This has its advantages, including:

• Often at a lower cost than a commercial rate of interest.
• Repayment options can be more flexible.
• Any interest or fees are kept inside your friends and family community.

While this approach offers a host of benefits, there are also potential risks to this informal approach to business finance. The lender could suddenly need some or all of their money back to cover an unanticipated need, or the business may not be able to meet the agreed repayments.

Personal relationships between friends and family can be put under pressure through these arrangements, if they are not managed well or if the business fails to perform as expected.

Asset finance

You could fund the purchase of a specific business asset - such as a building or a vehicle - using asset finance. This is a loan that's linked specifically to that asset and is usually secured against it. Should you fail to make the agreed repayments, the lender has legal rights to recover some of their money by taking control of the asset.

Secured loans, such as these, often take a little longer to set up because the process needs to include valuation of the asset and preparation of additional documentation. Your business can also use asset finance to release capital from an asset it already owns. Many finance providers are willing to advance cash against the value of an asset, even when it's been in use for a while.

The funding is repaid from future income that asset helps the business to generate.

Invoice finance or merchant cash advances

Both invoice finance and merchant cash advances are methods of boosting your working capital based on the value of your sales. Rather than receiving a lump sum of cash, as you do with a loan or similar form of finance, you get a rolling injection of smaller amounts of cash, in line with your sales. As turnover grows, the value of these injections can grow.

Invoice finance is suitable for businesses that sell on credit. When you raise an invoice that's due in, say, 30 days, the invoice finance provider pays you a high percentage of the value of the invoice. You benefit by effectively being paid a few weeks in advance - which improves your cashflow.

A merchant cash advance is more appropriate where you sell a considerable amount through credit and debit cards. You can get an advance based on the level of card sales you've enjoyed in the past.

Both these forms of finance help to improve your cashflow, but they're not designed to raise the large amount of capital you may need to invest in a new business growth project.

Investment finance

Whether it's through an angel investor, or venture capitalists, or some other arrangement, investment finance is where someone puts money into your business in return for a share of ownership. This means it's not a business loan, but typically a longer-term commitment with the intention of helping you to grow the business.

The finance may come with additional support, such as business advice and mentoring from someone with greater experience.

The investor typically expects to get their money back, and more, when the business has grown in value and their share is worth more. This may occur when you sell the business, which allows all the investors to capitalise on the money they put in.

The benefit of investment finance is that there are often no regular repayments to budget for, and the cash could come with additional support. The downsides include the dilution of ownership, and the possibility that the investor wants some element of control over how the business is operated.

Crowdfunding

The digital revolution has made it much easier for businesses to raise finance from the wider community, through crowdfunding hubs. These hubs allow people to invest often a relatively small amount of capital into a project. These amounts are aggregated together, giving the business a sizeable fund it can invest in growth.

Crowdfunding comes in various forms. It's popular with startups, particularly those who can establish a connection with a community of people interested in seeing particular ideas turned into viable products, such as video games or new technologies. Peer-to-peer funding networks also work on crowdfunding principles, but are generally more structured and offer more protection to those putting their money in.

Unsecured business finance from Qardus

If you're a business owner, if that business is profitable and if you're serious about growing it, we want to hear from you.

We've supported a wide range of businesses through our unsecured finance product. It's a community-based alternative to an unsecured business loan, and it's rooted in an ethical approach to commercial finance.

If you're considering taking out a business loan and you're open to exploring something that gives you all the same benefits and flexibility, and is also competitively priced, please get in touch with us today.

Introduction

Cryptocurrency is essentially a digital currency exchange and digital payments platform that uses blockchain technology. The technological and digital revolution over the last few decades has meant that innovative payment systems have been created and utilised, and cryptocurrency is one of the major breakthrough payment systems for business and personal finance use. Whether or not cryptocurrency is halal or haram is a debate that is ongoing between Islamic scholars.

This article will examine cryptocurrency, Islamic interpretations, and the types of cryptocurrencies available.

Cryptocurrency

Although there are over 2,000 cryptocurrencies on the market now, Bitcoin is probably still the most known form of cryptocurrency in the blockchain market, and was the first cryptocurrency coin to go mainstream but there are other cryptocurrencies entering the market.

For Muslims across the Islamic world, the question arises as to whether crypto payment platforms are deemed to be halal or haram in the eyes of Allah and in accordance with Shariah principles, and whether as a currency it prevents money laundering. Whether or not cryptocurrency is halal or haram depends on the how a specific cryptocurrency aligns with the principles of Islam.

Cryptocurrency - Characteristics

One of the defining aspects of cryptocurrency is that there is no central authority such as a Government that authorises it or records it. Cryptocurrencies operate on decentralised networks using blockchain technology.

Most cryptocurrencies have a limited supply, or at least a capped supply. Transactions are transparent and traceable, but there is also a degree of anonymity of parties. One the main advantages of cryptocurrency is that it offers global accessibility. It can be received anywhere in the world - all you need is an internet connection.

For Muslims, cryptocurrency does tick a lot of the Islamic finances boxes when it comes to transparency and traceability. However, ultimately it is the duty of every Muslim to be seeking knowledge, and this guide will address the use of the cryptocurrency market and its intrinsic value.

This article will consider whether crypto currency is permissible as a form of actual money under Islamic laws and in the Islamic world. We will consider the views of Islamic jurists and scholars on this emergence of what is considered to be new money addressing the question of is cryptocurrency halal.ISLAMIC SCHOLARS INTERPRETATION - IS CRYPTOCURRENCY HALAL?

A comprehensive Islamic law interpretation, one that sparked a massive rise in Muslim investment in Bitcoin and Ethereum in 2018, was provided by Sharia advisor Mufti Muhammad Abu-Bakar (former advisor to Blossom Finance) who looked at the question of is cryptocurrency halal as a money supply. He argued that Bitcoin is permissible under Islamic principles.

Mufti Abu-Bakar considered arguments that crypto itself was speculative when it comes to personal finance, but his view was that all currencies have a speculative element and this did not automatically deem cryptocurrency as haram.

Crypto Currencies

Islamically, if a business does not have an element of appropriate loss probability within its assets is not strictly trading in a Sharia compliant manner. The Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shaykh Shawki Allam believes that cryptocurrency is haram and he is joined by other Shariah scholars from the Middle East and beyond including Shaykh Haitham Al Haddad who see crypto as high risk. Their argument is based on the notion that crypto itself does not hold enough credibility as a currency to be deemed to be halal.

However, many other Sharia scholars believe that crypto itself does confirm to Sharia money rules and Muslims are permitted to invest in crypto.

Islamic scholars who believe that cryptocurrency money and digital assets are halal include Ziyaad Mahomed, Shariah Committee Chairman of HSBC Amanah Malaysia Bhd, and Mufti Faraz Adam. These views lend credence to the notion that Muslims can invest in crypto.

Arguments in favour of crypto being deemed halal include:

• There is often a lack of riba (interest). Crypto operates on decentralised platforms without any central authority. This usually means there is no interest charged or payable.
• Crypto is used as a medium of exchange with a legitimate purpose in financial and economic transactions.
• Technologically, crypto is neutral. Scholars argue that it is the use of the crypto that determines if it is Sharia compliant or not.
• The fact that crypto is generally thought to be scarce means that it is easier to avoid speculation and uncertainty and this aligns with Islamic finance rules.

Islamic Scholars

As mentioned above, one of the main reasons Islamic jurists and scholars from Muslim countries argue that cryptocurrency is halal, is that the concept of the blockchain and other cryptocurrencies are inherently anti-interest when looked at from a money generation source or perspective. Crypto operates outside of conventional banking systems and interest-based transactions.

Islamic banking laws are also anti-interest so the technology, pricing, and buying and selling of cryptocurrency money is deemed halal by many Islamic scholars who rely on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad PBUH when seeking guidance about permissibility (ultimately, only Allah knows best).

Given that crypto has a finite supply, it is less likely to be subject to inflation. This means it can maintain a fairly stable value - again an important element of Islamic finance.

Crypto Blockchains And Islamic Finance Principles

Blockchains refer to the blocks of technology used to record digital cryptocurrency transactions. Blockchains act as a system of record and the reason this form of technology is so important is that it is virtually impossible to hack, change or cheat the blockchain platform or marketplace.

With the use of blockchain, centralized financial institutions and establishments are not needed as no central control is required. This also means that crypto trading (and the stock market) is more transparent.

According to many Islamic scholars and religious leaders, this addresses the question of is crypto halal within Islamic Finance rules and Islamic law more generally.

As cryptocurrency money is deemed permissible and halal under Islamic Sharia rules this has unlocked the crypto investment market to a global Muslim community with increasing numbers of Muslims with an interest in buying crypto and use it as a form of currency.

In terms of business practices, there are some basic principles (discussed in this article) relating to crypto and cryptocurrency trading that help many Muslims to decide if their entrepreneurial journeys and endeavours are permissible or strictly prohibited.

Consideration And Commercial Value - Is Crypto Halal Or Haram

From the perspective of Islamic contract rules, there must be an element of consideration when answering the question is crypto halal - there must be Mal. Mal refers to possession and effective storage, and cryptocurrencies meet the criteria required as they can be possessed and stored and have commercial value (Mutaqawwam).

Crypto is a real and viable digital asset, its worth and value lies in what is paid for it, and it is capable of being owned and traded commercially so the Shariah requirements are satisfied and the the question of is crypto halal can be answered.

Shacklewell Lane Mosque

The Shacklewell Lane Mosque in East London became one of the first mosques in the UK to accept cryptocurrency donations and Zakat contributions in 2018 during Ramadan. This mosque deemed cryptocurrency halal and permissible and generated a lot of interest on the topic of the permissibility of crypto more generally under Islamic law.

Digital Currencies, Money Laundering And Shariah Law

Islamic finance principles dictates that in order for income, or investing in any product or asset, to be deemed halal it has to meet certain criteria. The principles of Shariah law should be applied to the financial systems we operate in and there has been some discussion amongst Muslim scholars about whether rules devised centuries ago can still be applied to a technologically modern digital financial marketplace.

Whether cryptocurrency is halal or haram centres on the rules of Sharia law.

Is cryptocurrency halal? For many Islamic scholars, the answer quite simply is yes. Shariah principles can be applied to modern crypto analysis and digital currencies as they are based on social justice, accountability and ethics which transcend all forms of financial transactions. As long as there is no illegal activity, then trading or investing in crypto should not be deemed to be contrary to Shariah principles.

Investments, Islamic Banking Law And Illegal Activities

There has been some discussion amongst Muslim scholars around the use of cryptocurrencies for illegal activities such as gambling, drugs, and money laundering. Critics of Bitcoin also argue that it is not legal tender as it is not backed by any central government that assigns its value and maintains regulatory standards, and it is therefore deemed to be speculated trading.

However, Islamically the use of an item that is deemed halal for an unlawful purpose does not make the original item halal. Whether it is halal or haram depends on the multiple factors.

Currency Ownership

Ownership of the currency remains with the owner according to Muslim scholars, and the coins/tokens are kept in an e-wallet. This means that investors can take part in trading as and when they want, retaining control of their assets.

As mentioned above, the publication of the working paper conducted by Mufti Muhammad Abu Bakr clearly identified that cryptocurrency is permissible under Shariah rules.

For Muslims worldwide this could have huge implications for the payment of Zakat monies that are made to the poor and to charities globally. If Muslims make up 25% of the world's population and hold approximately £1.04 billion in bitcoins, this means that £26 million is due in Zakat contributions. [1]

Medium Of Exchange

Cryptocurrency operates as a medium of exchange across the globe. This means that it can operate in legally diverse and unpredictable environments, often making it more accessible than mainstream finance options. It is a valid form of currency that holds purchasing power.

Although vulnerable to market changes, crypto coins such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are deemed to be a legitimate medium of exchange, available for use in transactions and trading. Although crypto has not yet reached the status of being a globally accepted medium of exchange, it is fair to say that it is on the way to becoming so. Commentators expect crypto to appreciate over the course of time and to store value.

Cryptocurrency Guidelines

The development of Shariah compliant cryptocurrency guidelines provides Muslims with the opportunity for ethical investments. From a financial perspective, Islamic charities could benefit hugely from Zakat and other donations as a result of crypto investment.

Many banks and financial establishments globally are recognising crypto as a financially viable medium of exchange, and this makes it easier for investors to continue to trade, buy and sell cryptocurrency.

With billions of Muslims worldwide, and the growth of crypto, it seems clear that what is perhaps needed is some form of shariah compliant cryptocurrency guidelines for Muslims to follow. This would enable Muslims to assess themselves the validity of cryptocurrency when assessed against Islamic finance rules.

Contracts

In terms of whether contracts relating to crypto are Shariah compliant, given that the contractual relationships in crypto are based on smart contracts using blockchain technology, this means that the process can be made increasingly secure and automated.

This not only reduces administrative complexities, confusion and errors, but also ensures that banks are more likely to accept the contractual relationships created.

In demonstrating Shariah compliance, cryptocurrency is earning legitimacy across the Islamic finance world. Cryptocurrency agencies are springing up across the Muslim world such as One Gram in Dubai, and Hello Gold in Malaysia.

This adds further legitimacy to the rulings that cryptocurrency is halal and can be utilised by Muslims and Islamic financial institutions. Of course, there needs to be ongoing discussion to consider is crypto halal as it operated within a dynamic and changing industry.

As the crypto market continues to evolve more questions will need to be asked, and each crypto coin should be analysed against Islamic finance principles to check for permissibility. However, as things stand right now, crypto is recognised as an asset under Sharia law and this lends it legitimacy. The things to be careful of are making sure that any cryptocurrency you are involved in does not link to any haram things and industries or activities or any form of money laundering.

Whilst there is no central body who can make a final ruling on whether crypto is halal or haram, but as there is no element of interest (riba) and no exorbitant fees relating to crypto the interest from Muslims is growing. Crypto can be used within Islamic finance principles to make ethical investments and wealth management in a Shariah compliant way. This could unlock the cryptocurrency investment market to billions of Muslims worldwide who are looking to enter the crypto market as investors.

As the currency is still in its infancy it is important to keep an eye on all new developments and to assess and analyse changes in the marketSource:
[1] https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/bitcoin-halal-london-mosque-donations...