Trading as a Muslim

You want to to trade as a Muslim? Well you've come to the right place. In fact, more and more Muslims are attracted by the possibility of quick profits and wish to engage in speculative trading in the financial markets.

However, this practice seems at first sight difficult to reconcile with the principles of Islamic finance, which prohibits many mechanisms used by modern traders.

However, on closer inspection, trading online is not fundamentally incompatible with respect for the precepts of Islam.

With a few precautions in the choice of financial instruments, avoiding certain pitfalls, and respecting strict ethical rules, it appears entirely possible for a practicing Muslim to trade without renouncing their faith.

Finance de Demain proposes to examine in detail the question of the conformity of speculative trading with Islamic law. But before you start, here's how Investing in real estate step by step

Let's go !!

🌿 The basics of online trading 📈

Online trading consists of speculating in the short term on the evolution of the financial markets. The trader seeks to profit from price variations on shares, indices, commodities, currencies or cryptocurrencies.

It is practiced via online platforms that provide direct access to markets. Trades are done by computer or mobile in a few clicks.

Traders use technical indicators and chart analysis to identify opportunities. They aim for quick profits, but are also exposed to high risks.

🌿 Islam's position on trading ⚖️

Certain aspects of trading are problematic with regard to Muslim ethics:

• La excessive pursuit of profit by speculation is forbidden (maysir)
• Derivatives and short selling involve prohibited uncertainty (gharar)
• The interest accounts payable on deposits are illicit (riba)

However, trading is not haram as such in the eyes of Islam. Provided that certain principles are respected.

First, the intention of the trader must be sincere. He should not view trading as an immoral get-rich-quick scheme, but as a halal investment.

Then, only certain classes of assets deemed ethical are authorized: stocks, commodities, currencies. complex products and short selling should be avoided.

Finally, speculation unrestrained is prohibited. Trading should not lead to ruin or distract the faithful from their religious duties.

🌿 Choosing a Sharia-Compliant Broker 🕋

To trade in a Sharia-compliant manner, it is essential to opt for an online broker offering an Islamic account, without riba.

Here are some reputable platforms that offer this type of account:

✔️eToro Islamic Account

eToro Islamic Account is an online trading account designed specifically for comply with the precepts of Islamic finance and Sharia. This is an offer from the famous eToro trading platform for Muslim clients.

This Islamic account is distinguished by the total absence of credit interest or overnight carryover swaps, in order to avoid any notion of prohibited riba.

Only instruments deemed halal are available: stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies. Complex derivatives involving excessive randomness are excluded.

A Sharia committee continuously oversees the account to ensure that it maintains Islamic compliance on all aspects: assets offered, maximum leverage, types of orders allowed, treatment of dividends, etc.

eToro Islamic Account is certified according to standards of Islamic finance defined by the AAOIFI, an authoritative body. This certification provides assurance to Muslim clients to trade in accordance with the principles of Islam.

Thus, eToro Islamic Account allows to take advantage of all the trading features on behalf of eToro, in a perfectly legal and halal framework. An ideal solution for any Muslim wishing to embark on online trading.

✔️ Amana Capital

Amana Capital is a London-based online trading platform that specializes in Islamic finance and Shariah compliant trading services.

Founded in 2011, Amana Capital offers trading accounts that are AAOIFI-certified halal and free of any haram elements. All interest and swaps generated by trading operations are excluded.

Islamic compliance is ensured by an ethics committee responsible for continuously validating legality of all financial instruments tradable on the platform. A religious council also oversees compliance with Islamic precepts.

Thanks to this expertise in halal trading, Amana Capital now manages over $XNUMX billion in assets on behalf of Muslim clients keen to trade in accordance with the principles of their religion.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced trader, you can open a certified sharia account compliant on Amana Capital and legally trade forex, stock indices, commodities, stocks and cryptocurrencies.

✔️ Darson Securities

Founded in 2010, Darson Securities is a pioneer in Islamic trading. Based in Pakistan, this online broker offers accounts of 100% sharia-compliant trading, without any haram element. Interest is prohibited, and only assets deemed halal are available.

The Sharia board of Darson Securities continuously validates the Islamic compliance of financial instruments and trading functionalities. The approach is conservative in order to to minimize the risks of speculative drifts.

With over 10 years of experience, Darson Securities has built a strong reputation in the industry halal trading. Many Muslims trust it to trade ethically, in accordance with their faith, on a wide choice of legal assets.

Darson Securities demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile online trading and respect for the principles of Islam. A reliable platform for any Muslim wishing to invest in the market in a halal way.

🌿 Take a halal trading approach 🔭

Even with a Sharia-compliant account, you must trade ethically to respect the principles of Islam.

Avoid short-term and speculative trading. Islamic finance recommends avoiding very short-term transactions which resemble speculation. It is preferable to favor long-term investments, in projects that create real and good value for the economy as a whole.

Banish usurious interest (ribâ) in all its forms. The use of interest, prohibited under the term “ribâ” in Islamic finance, must be completely excluded. The Muslim will be careful not to invest in instruments based on ribâ, whether as a lender or borrower.

Limit yourself to trading assets that you actually own. Short sales and other speculative techniques based on the sale of assets that one does not own should be avoided. The Muslim will only deal with the assets he already actually has.

Invest ethically in alignment with your values. It is essential to only invest in morally acceptable sectors, and to exclude any involvement in prohibited areas such as alcohol, weapons, etc.

With this responsible approach, you will trade in a halal manner and in accordance with Islamic ethics.

🌿 Be careful when trading cryptocurrencies

Speculative trading of cryptocurrencies is an activity which may raise questions for a Muslim keen to respect the principles of Islamic finance. Indeed, this type of transaction can be compared to “maysir“, games of chance prohibited because they are considered immoral. In addition, the extreme volatility of cryptocurrency prices induces a significant amount of risk and uncertainty.

For a Muslim, it is therefore preferable to abstain from everything speculative cryptocurrency trading, and to focus on real investments in the tangible economy. If the appetite for cryptos is too strong, we can consider long-term investments in projects whose economic model and added value we understand.

But the greatest caution is recommended so as not to violate the principles of Islamic finance. You can trade crypto, but responsibly.

🌿 Scalping: opinions shared among the ulama 📈

The practice of scalping in trading sparks a debate among Muslim scholars. Some ulama condemn this strategy for several reasons:

• Scalping involves high risk-taking and a frenzied search for short-term profit, moving away from the principles of Islamic finance.
• The multiplication of high-frequency micro-transactions can be compared to a form of gambling and prohibited speculation (maysir).
• Scalping can create an unhealthy and obsessive addiction to these micro-earnings, disconnected from the real economy.

However, other ulama qualify this point of view. For them, scalping may be acceptable if it is based on:

• A fundamental analysis of the assets traded and not pure speculation.
• Measured risk-taking and prudent management of funds.
• The intention to trade ethically and not to gamble.

Although these conditions may legitimize scalping, the greatest vigilance is required. Muslims are urged to favor long-term ethical investments over these uncertain quick profits. Between prohibition and cautious tolerance, opinions therefore differ on the conformity of scalping with Islamic finance.

🌿 Apply zakat on your profits 💰

For a Muslim practicing trading, it is important to purify his gains by paying a share to the poor in the form of zakat. This obligatory Islamic tax allows “purifier” its heritage and redistribute wealth.

Profits made from trading are subject to zakat according to a precise scale: 2,5% of capital after a lunar year if the minimum threshold of “nisab" is reached. Some ulama even recommend paying zakat on each significant gain, without waiting for the annual threshold.

Paying zakat on your trading profits is therefore a religious duty as much as an act of solidarity. This allows you to share your wealth, to detach yourself from the attraction of material profits and to get closer to the spirituality of trading advocated in Islamic finance.

🌿 Fatwas on online trading 📖

Online trading raises many questions about its compliance with Islamic ethics. The ulama have issued various fatwas to enlighten Muslim investors. One of the consensus opinions is the prohibition of margin and short trading, considered too speculative. Transactions must be limited to assets owned.

Furthermore, some scholars condemn the use of robots and algorithms, which dehumanize the act of investment. Others see this as a practical tool if it is used wisely.

More broadly, the fatwas emphasize the need to invest ethically, taking into account the social dimension and avoiding pure speculation. Online trading can be tolerated provided that it remains aligned with the main principles of Islamic finance. Constant vigilance is required.

🌿 Closing

It is therefore possible for a practicing Muslim to trade online, under certain conditions, without betraying the principles of Islam. Although some ulema have reservations, more and more religious authorities accept this practice if it is carried out in an ethical manner.

Now it's your turn to trade with wisdom and responsibility! You can generate lawful profits in accordance with your faith, provided you choose a suitable platform and adopt a halal investment approach.

Although debates persist, this activity seems compatible with sharia if it is practiced responsibly, with sincere motives and in moderation.

🌿 Online Trading FAQ for Muslims

✔️ Is trading allowed in Islam?

Yes, trading is permitted if done ethically, without excessive speculation or illicit sources of income. The fatwas accept it under certain conditions.

✔️ What are the Islamic rules to follow for trading?

You must use an account without interest or swaps (riba), limit risks, avoid complex derivatives (gharar), don't speculate too much and give a share of the profits to zakat.

✔️ Can I trade cryptocurrencies?

Yes it's possible, but in moderation. Favor ethical cryptos with concrete projects. Avoid purely speculative cryptoassets.

✔️ Is scalping allowed?

Opinions differ. Some ulema accept it because the positions are very short, others see it as excessive speculation.

✔️ How to find a halal trading broker?

Find out if the platform offers interest-free Islamic accounts. Check that it is supervised by a Shariah committee and certified in accordance with Islamic finance standards.

✔️ Do I have to pay zakat on my trading earnings?

Yes, you must take 2.5% of your profits made in trading, after deduction of losses, and give them to the needy. This purifies your earnings.

✔️ Is day-trading halal?

Some ulama accept it because the positions are closed before the end of the day. Others see it as too risky and speculative. The approach moderate is recommended.