Islamic Finance Framework
Allowed • Not allowed • Conditions • Rationale
Precursor site • Framework only

A clean “what’s allowed / what’s not” map — built around your model.

Use this page as your public-facing framework: categories, rulings status, short rationale, and practical notes. When your full platform launches, these sections can become searchable articles, product reviews, and detailed research pages.

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Status labels: Allowed • Not allowed • Conditional
Short notes now → detailed research later
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Research

Short, evidence-led notes and policy positions. This area will later expand into full articles with citations.

Conditional / depends Research methodology

  • Step 1 — Define the product: identify the actual contract(s), cashflows, and who owns what (not marketing terms).
  • Step 2 — Map to fiqh: classify under sale/lease/loan/agency/partnership, then test for ribā, gharar, and invalid conditions.
  • Step 3 — Practical compliance: highlight what makes it permissible vs impermissible in plain language (the “switch”).
  • Step 4 — Verdict format: label as Allowed, Not allowed, or Conditional with a one-paragraph rationale.
  • Step 5 — Evidence: cite primary texts and dependable contemporary standards where relevant; note differences when they materially affect practice.
Replace these bullets with your exact framework (madhhab baseline, standards you adopt, and how you handle disagreement).

Foundations

Core principles you’ll apply across everything (definitions, thresholds, and how you label “conditional”).

Conditional / depends Framework rule

  • Default rule: classify each item as Allowed / Not allowed / Conditional.
  • Conditional means: depends on structure, contract terms, execution, or ancillary elements.
  • Explain in one line: what factor flips it to Allowed vs Not allowed.
Replace with your exact definitions (e.g., ribā criteria, gharar thresholds, taqabud, etc.).

Not allowed Core prohibitions

  • Interest-based uplift (clear ribā in loans/debts).
  • Inherently impermissible industries (placeholder list).
  • High uncertainty / deception in exchange (placeholder).
Keep this tight: the “why” should be clear, not long.

Investments

Public markets, funds, commodities, alternatives. Keep each card short; link out to deeper research later.

Conditional / depends Stocks (equities)

  • Allowed when: business activity + financing meet your screening criteria.
  • Not allowed when: primary business is impermissible or structure violates your conditions.
  • Notes: screening method, purification policy, rebalancing cadence (placeholders).
Add your exact screening model (ratios, revenue thresholds, debt criteria, etc.).

Conditional / depends ETFs / Funds

  • Allowed when: underlying holdings pass your screening + fund structure is acceptable.
  • Watch for: derivatives usage, securities lending, cash drag, interest-bearing instruments.
  • Practical: checklist for “fund due diligence” (placeholder).
This can become your most used section—make the checklist crisp.

Conditional / depends Gold / Silver

  • Key issues: possession/settlement, custody, delivery, and contract mechanics.
  • Allowed when: conditions of exchange and possession are met (placeholder wording).
  • Examples: physical, allocated custody, unallocated claims (placeholders).
Later: add a “platform-by-platform” review list with your verdicts.

Not allowed Ribā-based fixed income

  • Examples: conventional bonds, interest-bearing notes, savings products with guaranteed uplift.
  • Reason: return is contractually tied to interest on debt.
If you have exceptions/edge-cases, mark them as Conditional in a separate card.

Not allowed Pure speculation / zero-sum bets

  • Examples: gambling-like exposure, wagers disguised as “trades”.
  • Watch for: products designed mainly for leverage + liquidation (placeholder).
Keep language clear and educational; avoid naming products unless you’re ready to back it up publicly.

Conditional / depends Crypto / tokens

  • Separate: holding/spot vs lending/interest vs derivatives vs staking models.
  • Allowed when: structure avoids prohibited elements (placeholder).
  • High-risk area: be explicit about what you *won’t* endorse.
You can replace this with your actual model (e.g., asset-backed vs utility, custody, etc.).

Personal finance

Everyday questions: banking, cards, savings, pensions, insurance, budgeting, debt, and essentials.

Conditional / depends Bank accounts

  • Current accounts: usage, fees, and service charges (placeholder).
  • Savings accounts: interest element triggers “Not allowed” unless your model treats it differently (placeholder).
  • Practical: what to do with unexpected interest (placeholder).
This is where users need “what do I do today?” guidance—add steps later.

Conditional / depends Pensions

  • Workplace pensions: fund selection + default funds (placeholder).
  • Key questions: ownership, control, switching, screening, and contributions (placeholder).
  • Roadmap: “minimum viable compliance” vs “ideal” options.
Later: include a simple step-by-step for the most common pension providers in your market.

Not allowed Interest-bearing borrowing

  • Examples: conventional loans, overdrafts with interest, payday loans (placeholder).
  • Alternative: list your preferred halal pathways (placeholder).
You can later add emergency guidance: what to do if someone is already in such debt.

Conditional / depends Insurance

  • Separate: mandatory vs optional coverage.
  • Prefer: cooperative / takaful-like structures where available (placeholder).
  • When unavoidable: your necessity rules / minimal compliance policy (placeholder).
This section benefits from very careful wording—keep it policy-driven.

Business & trade

Structures, contracts, payments, late fees, credit, and practical policies for entrepreneurs.

Allowed Spot trade (simple sale)

  • Basic model: transparent price, known item/service, valid consent.
  • Good practice: clear refunds/returns, honest descriptions, no deception.
Replace with your preferred “simple sale checklist.”

Conditional / depends Installments / credit sales

  • Allowed when: price is fixed up-front and not linked to time-based interest (placeholder).
  • Not allowed when: late fees are structured as interest on debt (placeholder).
  • Policy: acceptable late-payment clauses (placeholder).
Users love templates: later add a sample clause pack.

Not allowed Interest-linked penalties

  • Examples: late fee calculated as a % of outstanding debt over time (placeholder).
  • Alternative: fixed admin costs / charitable penalty model (if your framework allows) (placeholder).
If you endorse any alternative model, state conditions clearly.

Conditional / depends Subscriptions & SaaS billing

  • Allowed when: service is clear, cancellation policy is fair, no hidden penalties.
  • Watch for: unfair auto-renewals and penalty structures (placeholder).
This can become a “business compliance” toolkit later.

Modern products

Where most confusion happens: apps, fintech products, “investing features”, and hybrids.

Conditional / depends Buy-now-pay-later

  • Separate: fee-based vs interest-based vs penalty models.
  • Your policy: what counts as impermissible uplift (placeholder).
Later: publish verdicts per provider with screenshots of terms.

Conditional / depends Trading apps

  • Watch for: CFDs, leverage, lending, margin, interest on cash balances.
  • Allowed when: true ownership/settlement and the underlying asset is acceptable (placeholder).
Add your “app checklist” so users can assess products themselves.

Next step

Optional CTA section. Replace with newsletter signup, a consultation link, or a “submit a question” form.

Publish this as your “public framework” Swap later for full site

  • Now: concise verdicts + clear categories + consistent labels.
  • Later: link each card to long-form research pages, evidence, and product breakdowns.
  • Design: keep this landing page stable; grow the library behind it.
If you want, tell me your exact categories and label names, and I’ll tailor the sections and wording to match your model precisely.