Muslim Money Talk

Should charities spend money on influencers and advertising? What really went wrong at Muslim Aid? Former CEO Kashif Shabir joins Areeb Siddiqui to discuss the biggest questions facing Muslim charities, from donor trust and Zakat to banking restrictions and making donations create lasting change.## 📱 DOWNLOAD KESTRLKestrl helps Muslims spend, save and grow their money without compromising their values. Get the watermelon-themed debit card, earn Sharia-compliant rewards and screen companies against your ethical beliefs.Download Kestrl: https://kestrl.io/## ABOUT OUR GUESTKashif Shabir is the former CEO of Muslim Aid, one of the UK's oldest Muslim charities, where he led the organisation through significant governance reforms and regulatory scrutiny.With over 20 years of experience in technology, charities and philanthropy, Kashif has worked with Oxfam and the British Red Cross and helped establish the National Zakat Foundation.Today, he is the founder of Ethical Consultancy Group, advising charities, family offices and wealthy donors on strategic giving. He also advises UNHCR on Islamic philanthropy, helping organisations deliver greater and more sustainable impact.Kashif Shabir – LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kshabirEthical Consultancy Group – Website: https://ethicalltd.com/## TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Episode Highlights & Kestrl Sponsor01:48 – Introduction: Can We Trust the Charity Sector?03:03 – Kashif's Journey From Technology to Charity05:17 – Working in Silicon Valley and at Nokia08:49 – How Muslim Countries Handle Zakat Differently11:11 – What Really Went Wrong at Muslim Aid?12:45 – How Years of Governance Problems Led to an Inquiry13:49 – Challenging the Charity Commission16:46 – What Muslim Aid Got Wrong and How It Changed19:03 – The Changing World of Charity Fundraising21:01 – Why Emergency Aid Alone Cannot Solve Poverty23:14 – Why Charities Need Advocacy and Political Change25:06 – Are Muslim Charities Too Focused on Emergencies?26:19 – How Emotional Appeals Attract Donations27:09 – Where Can Charities Actually Spend Your Money?27:48 – Gift Aid Explained: How Charities Get Tax Relief30:04 – Why Charities Struggle to Fund Their Operations32:38 – Can Waqf Make Muslim Charities Self-Sufficient?37:21 – Could a National Waqf Fund Transform Muslim Charities?38:10 – Why Wealthy Donors Can Change the Charity Sector40:08 – Kashif's Vision for a Decentralised Bayt al-Mal41:32 – Funding Palestine: Humanitarian Aid vs Long-Term Change44:59 – Funding Investigations, Advocacy and Accountability47:26 – AI Charity Appeals, Social Media and Influencers49:24 – Should Charities Pay Influencers?50:57 – Why Transparency Matters More Than Fundraising Costs54:12 – Should Charities Change How They Advertise?56:54 – Should Non-Faith Charities Collect Zakat?58:56 – Why Zakat and Sadaqah Must Be Treated Differently59:51 – How Global Aid Cuts Are Affecting Millions1:07:00 – Why UN Agencies Are Seeking Muslim Donations1:11:20 – Who Should Be Responsible for Collecting Zakat?1:14:32 – Why Muslim Charities Face Greater Scrutiny1:17:42 – Islamophobia, Governance and Charity Accountability1:21:05 – Why Do Banks Reject Muslim Charities?1:23:17 – Why Banking Muslim Charities Is So Difficult1:26:10 – Do We Need a Dedicated Charity Bank?1:29:42 – Kashif's Legacy: Changing How Muslims Give#muslim #aid #palestine #charities #CharityCommission #charityfundraising #CharityDonations #zakat #sadaqah #waqfboard #islamicfinance #IslamicPhilanthropy #CharityInfluencers #CharityAdvertising #ethicalfinance #britishmuslims #philanthropy #CharityGovernance #charity

Can Zakat actually help save Britain? Dr Sohail Hanif, Oxford-trained Islamic scholar and CEO of the National Zakat Foundation, joins Areeb Siddiqui to challenge how Muslims understand Zakat, expose the hidden poverty crisis facing British Muslims, and explain why rebuilding local communities could be the answer to Britain's failing welfare system.📱 DOWNLOAD KESTRLKestrl helps Muslims spend, save and grow their money without compromising their values.Get the watermelon-themed debit card, earn Sharia-compliant rewards and screen companies against your ethical beliefs.Download Kestrl: https://kestrl.io/ABOUT OUR GUESTDr Sohail Hanif is the CEO of the National Zakat Foundation (NZF), which helps distribute Zakat to Muslims in need across the UK while building stronger, more resilient local communities.Dr Sohail Hanif – LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sohail-hanif-nzf2021National Zakat Foundation:https://nzf.org.uk/NZF Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nationalzakatfoundation/NZF LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-zakat-foundation/NZF's Vision for Zakat in Britain:https://nzf.org.uk/zakat-vision-uk/TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Episode Highlights01:02 – Download Kestrl01:28 – Introduction to Dr Sohail Hanif02:29 – From Engineering to Islamic Scholarship07:05 – How Illness Changed His Life11:01 – Zakat: Worship, Taxation and Community12:28 – What Are Muslims Getting Wrong About Zakat?17:17 – Should Muslims Become Politically Organised?21:01 – What Malaysia Gets Right About Zakat24:31 – Can Zakat Save Britain's Welfare System?30:14 – Why Have We Lost Community Responsibility?36:00 – How Can Faith Communities Rebuild Britain?41:18 – Should Zakat Only Benefit Muslims?44:08 – Zakat Explained and Britain's Hidden Poverty47:41 – How NZF Distributes Zakat Across Britain50:07 – The Shocking Reality of Muslim Poverty54:16 – Hidden Homelessness in the Muslim Community56:21 – How a Barking Mosque Transformed Its Community58:49 – Is Community Welfare a Form of Conversion?1:02:54 – Can This Model Work Across Britain?1:04:26 – What Is the True Mission of the Ummah?1:12:11 – Should Zakat Stay Local or Go Abroad?1:18:13 – Does Zakat Create Dependency? Measuring Real Impact1:23:40 – Closing Remarks1:24:23 – Download Kestrl and OutroFrom asylum seekers sharing shoes to working families struggling to afford basic necessities, this conversation explores the realities of poverty in Britain, the role of Islamic institutions, and how Zakat could become more than an individual act of giving.#MuslimMoneyTalk #Kestrl #zakat #NationalZakatFoundation #SohailHanif #islamicfinance #MuslimMoney #islamicbanking #halalfinance #britishmuslims #ukmuslims #poverty #islamiceconomics #shariah #muslimcommunity #uk #charity #welfarestate #islamicscholarship #communitybuilding

We went on TV to talk about a pretty simple problem: millions of Muslims want an alternative to conventional banking, but very few are actually using the Islamic options that exist today. Areeb joined Fintech.TV to explain why — and what Kestrl is building to change it. 📱 DOWNLOAD KESTRLKestrl helps Muslims spend, save and grow their money without compromising their values.Get the watermelon-themed debit card, access Sharia-compliant financial products, earn Sharia-compliant rewards and use ethical screening tools designed around your values.Download Kestrl: https://kestrl.io/Timestamps00:00 – Why Kestrl Went on TV00:17 – The “Revolut for the Muslim World”00:32 – Building a “Monzo for Muslims”01:45 – The Fintech.TV Interview Begins01:56 – What Is Kestrl?02:40 – What’s Wrong With Existing Islamic Banks?03:04 – 96% Want an Alternative, Only 3% Use One03:41 – How Kestrl Is Trying to Fix the Problem04:31 – Why Kestrl Partnered With Maybank05:28 – Why Muslims Are Skeptical of Islamic Finance06:03 – Building Trust Through the Community06:58 – Funding and Kestrl’s Expansion Plans07:35 – What’s Next: Savings, Investments, Pensions & Insurance08:19 – Is the West Catching Up With Islamic Fintech?09:04 – End of the Interview09:20 – Download Kestrl & Outro The interview covers Kestrl’s Maybank partnership, grassroots growth strategy, expansion beyond the UK and future Sharia-compliant products including savings, investments, pensions and insurance. #Kestrl #islamicfinance #islamicbanking #muslimfinance #halalfinance #islamicfintech #fintech #MuslimMoney #shariafinance #FintechTV #maybank #muslimbusiness #ukmuslims #halalinvesting #MuslimMoneyTalk

Can the taxman get more than your children inherit? What happens if you die without a will? Islamic wills solicitor Haroon Rashid answers the questions families often put off for too long.📱 DOWNLOAD KESTRLKestrl helps Muslims spend, save and grow their money without compromising their values. Get the watermelon-themed debit card, earn Sharia-compliant rewards, and screen your spending and investments.Download the app:https://kestrl.io/In this episode, Haroon shares the family disputes he has seen firsthand, including a widow’s three-year fight for her inheritance. He and Areeb also discuss trusts, guardianship, charity and waqf.Timestamps00:00 – Teaser: Cats, Inheritance and Tax 00:46 – Sponsor: Kestrl, the Muslim Money App01:18 – Why Muslim Families Need to Protect Their Wealth05:55 – What Makes a Will Islamic?07:03 – The Two Cats Set to Receive £350,00008:39 – Why So Few Muslims Have Wills11:21 – What Happens If You Die Without a Will?14:25 – Why Sons Receive Double Their Daughters’ Share17:57 – Two Brothers Divided by Their Father’s Estate21:06 – “Allah’s Will or Your Will?”25:13 – The Woman Who Chose to Give Her Abusive Husband a Share27:02 – Can the Taxman Get More Than Your Children?29:17 – Using Trusts to Protect an Inheritance33:33 – Writing His Own Father’s Will38:24 – The £16 Million Estate and Homemade Will40:23 – Why Choosing the Right Trustee Matters42:28 – Who Would Look After Your Children?45:24 – Water Wells, Charity and Waqf48:09 – How to Start Making an Islamic Will51:31 – Haroon’s Final Advice for Families56:23 – Can Leaving a Third to Charity Hurt Your Heirs?57:35 – The First Podcast Injury—and Haroon Jokes About Suing58:22 – A Widow’s Three-Year Fight for Her Inheritance1:00:03 – Who Should Inherit a Family Business?1:01:40 – The House That Keeps Giving to Charity1:03:26 – Outro#islamicinheritance #inheritancetax #haroonrashid #muslimfinance #islamicfinance #halalfinance #waqfboard #sadaqahjariyah #inheritanceinislam #muslimfamilies #ukmuslims #Kestrl

Is modern interest really the same as riba? Do women actually inherit less than men in Islam? Does the famous mortgage fatwa still apply today? What do you truly own when you buy shares? And could AI ever replace a qualified Mufti?Mufti Faraz cuts through the slogans and explores the principles, context and uncomfortable details behind the rulings Muslims often repeat without questioning.🎓 LEARN ISLAMIC FINANCE WITH MUFTI FARAZ ADAMThe first cohort is limited to 50 people.Register your interest:https://funny-begin-011030--replace-component-footer-riicyelk7.framer.app/learn Timestamps 00:00 – Teaser: Inheritance, Riba, Mortgages and Political Zakat 01:04 – Sponsor: Kestrl – The Muslim Money App 01:36 – AI, Islam and the Biggest Questions in Islamic Finance 02:16 – Welcome to Muslim Money Talk 03:03 – Introducing Mufti Faraz Adam 06:55 – Is AI Good or Bad for Islam? 09:18 – Can AI Make Islamic Knowledge More Accessible? 11:31 – Did Muslims Really Ban the Printing Press? 14:40 – Does the Muslim World Need Its Own AI Models? 18:03 – When AI Gets Islamic Home Finance Wrong 20:05 – Could AI Ever Replace a Scholar? 27:03 – We Ask ChatGPT if It Can Become a Mufti 29:05 – Why an AI-Generated Fatwa Is Not a Fatwa 32:31 – The Biggest Islamic Finance Questions from Muslims 33:02 – Is Modern Interest the Same as Quranic Riba? 34:19 – The Three Forms of Riba in Pre-Islamic Arabia 36:55 – Why Islam Prohibits Earning Money Through Time 41:22 – Why the Arguments for Interest Sound Convincing 44:20 – Islamic Mortgages and the “Two Contracts” Criticism 45:58 – Is a Small Amount of Interest Still Riba? 50:43 – Idealism vs Pragmatism in Islamic Finance 57:13 – Do Women Really Inherit Less Than Men? 59:10 – The Cases Where Women Inherit More Than Men 01:05:25 – Could a Fully Sharia-Compliant Economy Ever Exist? 01:08:00 – Can Zakat Be Used for Political Campaigning? 01:16:50 – Who Actually Qualifies to Receive Zakat? 01:20:10 – Are Halal Stock-Screening Rules Arbitrary? 01:21:02 – What Do You Actually Own When Buying Shares? 01:23:06 – Where the 5%, 30% and 33% Rules Came From 01:28:20 – Should Halal Stock-Screening Rules Change? 01:29:16 – Is the Famous Mortgage Fatwa Now Outdated? 01:34:32 – Introducing the Kestrl Learn Islamic Finance Course 01:36:51 – The Future of Kestrl and Islamic Finance 01:39:09 – What the UK Can Learn from Islamic-Finance Unicorns 01:41:09 – Web3, Crypto and the Future of Muslim Money 01:43:33 – Final Message: Muslims Must Build Systems 01:45:06 – Outro 📱 THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY KESTRLKestrl is the Muslim money app helping you spend, save and grow your wealth without compromising your values.Order your watermelon-themed debit card, earn Sharia-compliant rewards and screen your spending against the causes that matter to you.Download Kestrl on the App Store or Google Play:https://kestrl.io/In this episode:• Is interest actually riba?• Why Islamic rulings require more than simple definitions• Whether women really receive less inheritance• The mortgage fatwa Muslims are still using decades later• What shareholders truly own when buying stocks• Whether halal-investing thresholds need to change• Why AI-generated answers cannot replace qualified scholarship• The future of Islamic finance educationTimestamps coming soon.#IslamicFinance #Riba #HalalInvesting #MuslimMoneyTalk #MuftiFarazAdam #HalalFinance #IslamicBanking #MuslimFinance #IslamAndMoney #InterestInIslam #HalalMortgage #IslamicMortgage #InheritanceInIslam #IslamicInheritance #WomenInIslam #MuslimInvesting #StocksInIslam #ShariahCompliant #ShariahFinance #EthicalInvesting #AIFatwa #AIAndIslam #IslamicScholar #Fatwa #PersonalFinance #Zakat #Waqf #Takaful #MuslimPodcast #Kestrl

In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, Areeb Siddiqui sits down with Moulana Tahir Talati (Islamic scholar, finance professional, and co-founder of National Waqf) to explore one of the most powerful yet forgotten concepts in Islamic finance: the Waqf (charitable endowment).📱 This episode is brought to you by Kestrl — the app helping Muslims spend, save, and grow their wealth without compromise. Order your watermelon-themed debit card, earn Sharia-compliant rewards, and screen your spending against your values. Download on the App Store or Google Play. https://kestrl.io/Timestamps00:00 – Teaser: Why Do Mosques with Millions Still Fundraise for Bills?01:20 – Sponsor: Kestrl – The Muslim Money App01:56 – Welcome & Introducing Molana Taher Talati03:14 – Molana Taher’s Journey: Combining Traditional Alimiyyah & Finance04:59 – The Problem with Modern Charity & How National Waqf Was Born07:34 – What is a Waqf? Linguistic & Legal Definition09:14 – Asset-Based vs. Usufruct Waqf: How Endowments Actually Work10:40 – Moving from One-Off Donations to Sustainable, Perpetual Giving13:08 – The Prophetic Vision: Hadith of Umar (RA) & Historical Origins16:00 – The Waqf of the Sahabah & The 1,400-Year Legacy of the Well of Uthman (RA)19:18 – Ibn Battuta’s Travels: The Peak of Waqf & Creative Endowments24:50 – How Colonial Powers Systematically Dismantled Waqf in Algeria & India30:30 – The Attack on Family Waqfs & The Loss of Community Independence33:38 – Modern Endowments: How the West Took the Waqf Model37:15 – Did Oxford, Cambridge & Western Trusts Originate from Waqf?40:05 – Inside the National Waqf Model: 50/50 Growth & Grant Reinvestment45:49 – The 6 Priority Areas for Empowering UK Muslims49:32 – Housing, Student Finance & Muslim Financial Empowerment52:22 – Could the UK Government Adopt an Endowment-Style Sovereign Wealth Fund?57:30 – Shifting from First-Generation Survival to Strategic Community Institutions01:00:17 – The UK Waqf Summit & Integrating Islamic Fintech01:03:10 – The Mosque Dilemma: Helping Masajid Build Endowments01:08:40 – Q&A: Property Strategy & Risk-Averse Shariah Investments01:10:12 – Family Waqfs & The Private Endowment (100% Donation Policy)01:14:11 – The Power of Pooled Investments & Overcoming Duplication01:20:23 – Social Investments: How Mosques Can Fund Each Other01:25:35 – Digital Banking for Charities & The Future of Kestrl01:28:28 – Outro & Final Thoughts#islamicfinance #waqfboard #halalinvestment #sadaqahjariyah #money #investment

What do three CEOs actually talk about when the cameras are off? We’re on a 586-mile road trip to Manchester to dive deep into the future of Halal finance, the reality of raising capital in the Ummah, and one legendary 3 AM marriage proposal.📱 This episode is brought to you by Kestrl — the app helping Muslims spend, save, and grow their wealth without compromise. Order your watermelon-themed debit card, earn Sharia-compliant rewards, and screen your spending against your values. Download on the App Store or Google Play. https://kestrl.io/Timestamps00:00 – Opening Hook: Balancing Pragmatism and Purity in Islamic Finance00:48 – Intro: The Road Trip to Manchester for the Muslim CEOs Collective01:48 – Kestrl Spotlight: Sharia-compliant rewards and the watermelon card03:35 – The 2026 Landscape: A new wave of Islamic Fintech boundaries04:33 – Deep Dive: Stride Up’s £250M Sukuk and capital market maturity06:20 – Medina Angels: Solving the "Access to Capital" pain point for founders09:05 – The Fundraising Reality: Why raising from the community can be a challenge11:15 – The Circular Economy: Unlocking £14B in idle Muslim wealth15:40 – Pitch Deck Analysis: What makes a standout startup for investors?18:40 – Why Medina Angels backed Kestrl: Innovation in Neo-banking20:18 – The Identity Shift: Beling and Islamophobia in the UK22:45 – Running away vs. Building: Our responsibility as entrepreneurs25:15 – Raising kids in the age of AI and racism26:45 – The "Bollywood" Story: Raza’s incredible 3 AM marriage proposal34:05 – Marriage Advice: 20 years of wisdom and the "Pious Pillar"36:55 – The Startup Spouse: Managing shaky pillars in your life37:50 – Corporate vs. Entrepreneurship: The early opportunity cost39:50 – Pit Stop: Omar Khalil joins to discuss Retail Market trends44:10 – The Ambassadors of Ethics: Lessons from the markets of Medina45:15 – Outro: Mukbang and closing thoughtsKestrl App Links:Download Kestrl (iOS & Android): https://kestrl.io/downloadKestrl Website: https://kestrl.io/Social Media Handles:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kestrl.io/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kestrl/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kestrl.ioGuest Information (from this episode):Abdul-Haseeb Basett (Muslim CEOs Collective): https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdulhaseebbasett/Raza (Fithar): https://www.linkedin.com/in/raza-khan-fithar/Medina Angels: https://medinaangels.com/#islamicfinance #muslimentrepreneurs #Kestrl #halalinvesting #startuplife

This episode is brought to you by Kestrl - the app helping Muslims to spend, store and grow their wealth without compromise!📲 Download today on App Store and Google Play here: https://kestrl.io/get-the-appShould Muslims be all in on Bitcoin — or are we taking it too far? In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui is back in Riyadh with Morrad Irsane, co-founder & CEO of Takadao, to unpack how Web3 is being used to reinvent Islamic insurance, and to have a frank, animated debate about Bitcoin, crypto and where Muslims should really be putting their money.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS0:00 Trailer & Intro1:48 Back in Riyadh — and why Makkah is becoming a startup city3:38 What is Takadao? Decentralised Islamic insurance explained5:03 How the LifeDAO family protection fund actually works6:17 Donator and receiver: bringing Takaful back to its purest model8:02 Why every Western "halal" insurer ends up compromising9:58 Killing the conflict of interest: how a DAO removes the middleman11:17 Deny, delay, defend — how traditional insurers avoid paying out12:54 Who controls the money? Voting rights and nine elected members15:08 Why Takadao takes 25% — and what the Takaful standards actually allow17:47 Do you get your money back? Surplus, sadaqah and double reward21:04 The real gap: what happens to a family after the janazah23:56 Stablecoins, USDC and the no-bank crypto card27:56 How halal yield is generated: liquidity provisioning explained32:04 Is this just FX trading? The Sharia distinction that matters34:19 The Bitcoin debate: is it money, digital gold, or neither?38:34 "You don't own Bitcoin" — ETFs, Binance, Revolut and real ownership41:37 Why Bitcoin maximalism is a cult — and why there's no maxi in Islam50:02 If not Bitcoin, then what? Smart contracts and reviving Mudaraba1:00:18 Are Muslims ready for web3? Regulators, remittances and the no-bank vision1:06:48 Where to find Takadao1:07:29 Outro💚 If Muslim Money Talk has given you value, please hit SUBSCRIBE, ring the bell, and drop us a comment — it genuinely helps us grow.⚠️ This episode discusses cryptocurrency, insurance and investing for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Always do your own research and consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.#IslamicFinance #Bitcoin #HalalCrypto #Takaful #IslamicInsurance #Web3 #Muslims #Crypto #MuslimMoneyTalk #Kestrl #Takadao #DeFi

📱 This episode is brought to you by Kestrl — the app helping Muslims spend, save, and grow their wealth without compromise. Order your watermelon-themed debit card, earn Sharia-compliant rewards, and screen your spending against your values. Download on the App Store or Google Play. https://kestrl.io/ Do British Muslims have a crisis in belonging? In the season two premiere of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui sits down with Sadiq Dorasat — Forbes 30 Under 30, founder & CEO of Muslim Census, and product lead at StrideUp — to unpack the findings of Muslim Census's new report, "Crisis in Belonging."Ten years ago, 9 in 10 Muslims felt a strong sense of belonging in the UK. Today it's just over 1 in 2 — and only 8% feel positive about the country's future. We dig into what's driving that collapse, why 43% of Muslims are relying on credit to cover everyday expenses, the surprising link between Islamic mortgages and belonging, and whether Muslims are really thinking about leaving.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Trailer 1:04 Intro 3:52 The new report: "Crisis in Belonging" 4:25 From 90% to 50% — the collapse in belonging 8:00 Does Sadiq personally feel he belongs? 9:54 The most surprising findings 11:56 Do Muslims really earn 48% more? 13:06 Are British Muslims actually thinking of leaving? 14:41 The shift in where Muslims give their zakat 15:59 Can these surveys be weaponised by the far right? 23:25 Why he started Muslim Census 29:03 A career across Islamic finance: HSBC to StrideUp 32:07 The biggest gaps: insurance and microfinancing 38:03 Advice for Kestrl: just ship40:49 Islamic mortgages — why they cost more 45:20 Rapid fire: conventional or Islamic to start? 49:56 Optimistic for the next generation? 4:04 How Sadiq uses AI in product 59:21 Do Muslims really belong in the UK?💚 If Muslim Money Talk has given you value, please hit SUBSCRIBE, ring the bell, and drop us a comment — it genuinely helps us grow.#BritishMuslims #IslamicFinance #MuslimCensus #CrisisInBelonging #HalalMortgage #CostOfLiving #MuslimMoneyTalk #Kestrel #StrideUp #IslamicMortgage

This episode is brought to you by Kestrl - the app helping Muslims to spend, store and grow their wealth without compromise! 📲 Download today on App Store and Google Play here: https://kestrl.io/get-the-app Recorded live in front of an audience at Muslim Tech Fest. This episode asks whether the UK can actually become the global capital of Islamic finance — why halal home finance still costs 2% more than a conventional mortgage, why liquidity is the real bottleneck, and what it took to get the first partnership between an Islamic bank and an Islamic fintech over the line. Guest experts: Raza Ullah, founder & CEO of Pfida, and Hamdi Abdullah, General Manager of Maybank UK This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise. Download our app and order your card here: https://kestrl.io/ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro: is Islamic finance really Islamic? 1:20 Meet the panel: Pfida, Maybank and Kestrl 2:05 £1m in 15 weeks — and why the UK may be the best place in the world to do Islamic finance 5:35 Ten years in: how UK Muslims got educated on riba7:58 Why Muslim-majority markets use Islamic finance less than we do 10:20 The 2% problem: why halal home finance costs more11:42 Liquidity is the real bottleneck — and why Maybank partnered instead of going it alone13:20 Pfida: built by the community, for the community 15:20 Community money vs institutional money: the case for a hybrid17:28 What success looks like in 5–10 years 19:50 Do we even call it Islamic? ESG, participation banking and silent dawah 22:08 Competition, Hajj and how big this market actually is 23:59 "Don't become a bank" — and will other Islamic banks follow Maybank? 25:55 Europe, France and why North America excites us more 29:46 Debanking, masjids and the case for business banking 31:23 Consolidation, exits and protecting the mission 34:19 Where should a Muslim charity put £1 million? 40:10 Do VCs want Islamic fintech — and do we want them? 43:09 What's next: Sharia-compliant insurance and credit cards #IslamicFinance #IslamicFintech #MuslimMoneyTalk #HalalInvesting #Maybank #Pfida #MuslimTechFest #HalalMortgage #FinancialLiteracy #MuslimPodcast #Kestrl

This episode is brought to you by Kestrl - the digital bank helping to grow your wealth without compromise!📲 Download today on App Store and Google play here: https://kestrl.io/get-the-app This episode dives into financial compatibility before marriage, the realities of Mahr, prenups, and how unspoken financial expectations can lead to divorce.Guest experts:Sannah Khan & Dr. Mohammed Sinan AML Finance insta page:https://www.instagram.com/aml.finance?igsh=MWN1YnY4enMzcnJwMQ== This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise.Become a lifetime user of our new digital bank here: https://kestrl.io/ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 "Her money is her money and his money is hers" 0:56 Intro 2:06 How they both ended up in finance 5:32 Solutions in search of a problem — why Amal exists 7:04 What financial abuse actually looks like 9:57 The three-step framework 12:23 The £70bn report — and how they met 15:49 "If your salary doubled tomorrow, what would you do?" 18:56 He earns £150k and won't let her stop working 21:42 "My Situationship with Money" — the card game 26:06 "Her money is her money" — where did it come from? 29:31 Bollywood, borrowed expectations and the checklist problem 33:40 What "provision" actually means 35:32 Is mahr a gift or an exit plan? 37:39 The nikah that wasn't registered — and cost her everything 40:56 £50k weddings and the debt that follows 46:21 High-earning sisters who can't find a match 50:42 Work out the life you want first 53:12 What is a career actually for? 57:49 "Do people ever ask you about second wives?" 1:00:44 Joint accounts — how to actually do it1:04:58 Final advice + the one-day intensive1:06:26 Outro#MuslimMarriage #IslamicFinance #MarriageAdvice #MuslimMoneyTalk #FinancialLiteracy #MoneyAndMarriage #Mahr #MuslimPodcast #Prenup #AmalFinance #Kestrl

This episode of Muslim Money Talk dives into the dangers of poor succession planning, inheritance disputes, and the looming inheritance tax crisis for Muslim families and business owners in the UK. Guest expert Ruzwan Boota shares real-life case studies, explains Sharia-compliant wills, and highlights urgent steps families must take to protect wealth, avoid riba, and preserve unity. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 02:42 – Introduction of guest Roswan Bhuta, his background in tax advisory 04:16 – Stories from advising footballers on wealth protection 05:56 – Transition to iWills and focus on Muslim tax advisory 07:34 – Muslim wealth, poverty stats, and proactive tax planning 09:05 – Case study: business owner who delayed planning and left chaos 13:04 – Family disputes, Sharia vs. non-Sharia inheritance splits 16:49 – Sharia-compliant wills: rules, shares, and misconceptions20:33 – Examples of siblings inheriting in absence of sons 21:29 – Using trusts to protect irresponsible heirs 22:24 – Process for drafting wills quickly and affordably 25:53 – Kestrel fintech interlude (ad segment) 26:14 – Inheritance tax thresholds, reliefs, and new 2026 law 31:43 – Financial burden on families and rise of riba loans 32:52 – Urgent planning window before April 2026 34:17 – Shaitan’s influence in family disputes over wealth 34:53 – Implications for startups and co-founders 37:24 – Passing on debt and the dangers of delaying Sharia compliance 39:32 – Client story: widow deciding to clear riba mortgages 43:17 – Fees, transparency, and honest tax advice 45:49 – Step-by-step approach: wills, trusts, and family conversations 48:22 – Trust structures to protect immature beneficiaries 49:53 – Importance of proactive planning, not waiting for death 50:24 – Muslims and generational wealth building 51:16 – Practical takeaway: seek specialist tax advice, take action now

In this episode of Muslim Money Talk , Pontus Selander shares his journey from atheist stockbroker-in-training in Sweden to embracing Islam and becoming a leader in Islamic finance with Saturna Capital. He and host Areeb Siddiqui dive into halal investing, ESG, the challenges of Islamic wealth management, and how Muslims can start investing responsibly, even with small amounts. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 06:20 – Pontus’ upbringing in Sweden, father’s death, early reflections on God. 13:00 – University debates with Muslim friends, prejudice, and first real exposure to Islam. 18:00 – Journey to Shahada, struggles with prayer and alcohol, finding meaning. 27:00 – Family and community reactions, first Eid experience, challenges as a revert. 32:30 – Career in finance, haram investments, dua for change, move into renewables. 39:00 – Marriage, leaving lucrative but haram opportunities, focus on halal income. 50:00 – Challenges in Islamic investing: lack of diversity, Sukuk, BDS concerns. 59:00 – Active vs passive investing, Saturna’s approach to screening & ESG. 10:06:00 – Growth of Islamic investing in UK & Sweden, importance of education. 01:10:00 – Future of Saturna & Kestrel, advice for Muslim fintech and investors.

A candid conversation with financial advisor Faisal Sheikh challenges the Muslim community’s obsession with buy-to-let property and the recent outperformance narrative of Sharia funds, urging a shift toward backing real, productive businesses. The episode also wrestles with crypto’s value (or lack thereof) in Islamic ethics, practical portfolio constraints for everyday Muslims, and building financial literacy—especially for Muslim women. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 09:25 – Sharia funds landscape; small/mid-cap basics 12:30 – “Outperformance” myth (US tech overweight) + risks 19:19 – Deejah Money: goals-first, empowering Muslim women 27:17 – Crypto: speculation vs real utility (Islamic lens) 34:01 – Practical steps: emergency buffers, limited options, risk 36:35 – Personal story: scarcity mindset, decisions, teaching kids 60:20 – Parting advice: buffers, education, and when to seek advice

The episode follows Sheikh Salman Hassan’s personal shift from a transactional view of Islam and Islamic finance to a theology-first ethic of reflecting Allah’s attributes in life and business, prioritising real societal benefit over box-ticking legality. He urges collaboration across the industry—even pragmatically working within conventional frameworks when necessary—to tackle poverty and widen access to finance, while sharing candid stories about mentorship, ego, and spiritual transformation. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 05:03 — Spiritual crisis: knowledge without purification 09:52 — From transactional deeds to ma‘rifah (reflecting Divine attributes) 15:44 — Debt ethics via sabr/halim; theology-first approach to finance 34:41 — Collaboration over competition; “rizq is written” 49:32 — What’s missing in today’s Islamic finance 56:46 — Prioritizing poverty & access; serve all society 01:06:33 — Advice to fintechs: do everything with ihsan (even tidy bathrooms!) 01:09:05 — Start with istighfar; the “empty pipe” ego metaphor 01:12:52 — Boundaries; jamali vs jalali mercy/strength; Ali (r.a.) anecdote 01:16:17 — Being mentored by someone younger; humility lessons 01:17:19 — Dream of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani; signs of guidance 01:20:18 — “Sacred Compass” talk aligns; offer to mentor; wrap-up

In this episode, Nabil Kazi shares his journey from working at Disney and Pixar to paving the way for Muslims in Hollywood, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities of representation in entertainment. Alongside his career insights, he reflects on personal experiences, global travels, and how storytelling can reshape narratives about Muslims worldwide. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 – Early days at Disney, challenges of openly being Muslim in Hollywood. 00:34 – Toy Story, Pixar collaboration, and creative branding work. 01:08 – Introduction of guest Nabil Kazi and his Hollywood background. 02:11 – Marathons, Ironmans, and athletic pursuits. 04:42 – World travel goal: visiting all 197 countries, inspired by his late father. 06:36 – Highlights and misconceptions about Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan. 12:23 – Growing up near Disneyland, passion for entertainment. 13:48 – Breaking into Pixar and the Toy Story franchise. 20:00 – Marketing, branding, and franchise-building strategies at Disney. 29:35 – Stories about working with celebrities like Tom Hanks and Miley Cyrus. 32:07 – Being Muslim in Hollywood: challenges, perceptions, and representation. 38:53 – Rise of Muslim creatives: Riz Ahmed, Rami Youssef, Moe, and others. 46:19 – Advice on authentic Muslim storytelling without labelling. 50:25 – New Muslim-led studios and changing confidence in Hollywood. 56:06 – Advice for aspiring Muslim filmmakers and writers. 58:21 – Streaming vs theatrical release, marketing strategies, and building franchises. 1:07:03 – Inspiring more Muslims to enter entertainment.

This episode explores the challenges Muslims in the UK face around wealth creation, from limited savings to a lack of financial literacy. Guests Ahmad Ayoubi and Adel Bereksi-Reguig, co-founders of Nisba, share their personal journeys and vision for empowering Muslims with halal investment education and tools. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 01:36 – Meet the founders of Nisba 03:42 – Career journeys: trading, teaching & consulting 09:41 – Reconnecting through faith and charity 13:27 – Founding Nisba: from idea to platform 20:09 – Leaving conventional finance for halal alternatives 25:35 – The mission: education, tools & coaching 35:20 – Biggest financial challenges facing UK Muslims 43:06 – Who should own Islamic banks? 49:25 – Challenges in halal investing & boycotts 56:09 – Practical advice for young Muslims with savings 1:07:31 – Final thoughts

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, a British-Australian-Palestinian doctor, recounts his harrowing experiences in Gaza, describing the humanitarian catastrophe, targeted destruction of healthcare workers, and his mission to establish a mobile, internationally staffed hospital to save children and rebuild medical infrastructure. He urges collective action, emphasising that every person can contribute to Gaza’s recovery beyond just seeking a ceasefire. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 06:41 – His motivation to become a doctor and commitment to serving in crisis zones 08:43 – Firsthand account of Gaza’s conditions, lack of resources, and constant danger 13:10 – Going viral while in Gaza; using social media to humanise Palestinians 14:20 – Family’s reaction to his mission; personal encounters with relatives in hospitals. 23:37 – The humanitarian crisis for Gaza’s children and risk of losing a generation. 25:54 – Proposal for mobile, solar-powered hospitals to rebuild healthcare. 31:29 – Navigating politics and risk to push the hospital project forward. 41:37 – Call for global grassroots action; everyone has a role to play

In this episode, the Areeb Siddiqui interviews his grandmother, Naina, about her remarkable life spanning pre-partition India, the creation of Pakistan, and her experiences living through pivotal moments in history. She reflects on her family’s legacy, her father’s resistance during partition, and shares advice on marriage, faith, and resilience. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 – Opening 01:47 – Naina’s career as a color consultant and inventing “ash white” 03:01 – Early family history: Nawabs, British titles, and their land 06:57 – Grandfather’s barrister training in London and British influence 10:42 – Father’s resistance during partition and move to Hyderabad 14:35 – The value of jungles and the struggle over land 18:55 – Hyderabad’s independence, weapons surrender, and returning to Nagpur 21:22 – Bombay memories and partition violence stories 25:27 – Father’s plans for Pakistan and his untimely death 28:08 – Life at Bhadra House: elephants, tiger hunts, and palaces 33:11 – Hunting stories: man-eating tigers and family traditions 42:05 – Moving to Pakistan: Karachi in the 1960s and climate changes 45:52 – Comparisons of Pakistan then vs now, 1971 war memories 47:50 – Marriage and moving abroad; life in America and Europe 51:29 – Living through global events: WWII, partition, 9/11 aftermath 56:30 – Islamic banking, zakat, and her perspective on Kestrel 59:02 – Advice on marriage, family, and resilience in life 1:07:06 – Closing thoughts and reflections on her peaceful life

In this episode of Muslim Money Talk , host Areeb Siddiqui speaks with Adil Hussain from Islamic Finance Guru (IFG) about the powerful financial lessons found in the Quran and how they can guide Muslims in managing their money ethically. They explore stories from Surah Yusuf and Surah Kahf, the role of Bitcoin and Islamic finance today, and how Muslims can build generational wealth through tools like waqf, zakat, and halal investing. This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromise Find out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/ And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/ Show Notes: 00:00 – Opening 02:17 – Adil’s background: From EY to Wahid to IFG 04:23 – Discovering Islamic finance as a young professional 08:17 – Early Islamic fintech players (Wahed, Yielders, etc.) 10:19 – Adil’s switch from data science to Islamic finance content 11:57 – Tips on creating viral, educational content 12:49 – Personal journey of discovering Quranic financial lessons 14:12 – Quran stories: The fisherman, two gardens, Musa (AS), Khidr (AS) 19:39 – Surah Kahf and the spiritual danger of wealth 21:53 – Arrogance and wealth: Lessons from Quranic figures 24:43 – Prophets with wealth (Sulaiman AS) vs simplicity (other stories) 27:49 – Story of the fishermen and divine protection of wealth 33:13 – Parenting, wealth, and spiritual inheritance 35:01 – Perpetual charity (waqf) and its modern impact 38:58 – Evergive, Bitcoin waqf, and endowments in Islamic history 42:02 – Bitcoin as an alternative monetary system 45:59 – Halal status of Bitcoin and critiques of fiat money 48:55 – The halal vs price debate in Islamic finance 50:37 – Pricing, funding, and halal savings/mortgage products 53:15 – Role of Islamic current accounts & financial conditioning 56:20 – Awareness as the main barrier to adoption 59:08 – Algorithms, Islamic content, and social media reach 01:00:15 – Wahed’s viral Mufti Menk campaign and media reactions 01:04:39 – Marketing, awareness, and IFG’s educational mission 01:06:52 – Final thoughts: competition, growth, and community responsibility