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Gross Monthly Salary Allocation for Sharia Investment

Redha Sindarotama26 May 2025

0 3 4 minutes read

“I’ve been working every month, my gross monthly salary is decent, but why haven’t I been able to start investing?”

Well, if you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Many people think that as long as there is a steady gross monthly salary, it means it’s safe to invest. In fact, in Islam, managing finances before investing can be mandatory. Because a wrong step at the beginning can be a source of problems at the end.

We need a formula. Not a complicated mathematical formula, but a practical salary allocation formula: so that every rupiah that comes in can be directed to the right place, according to sharia, and full of blessings.

Salary is a Trust, Not Just a Number

In Islam, the gross monthly salary we receive is not just a matter of hard work or worldly imbalances. It is part of the sustenance entrusted to us by Allah ﷻ. This means that we are not the absolute owners of the wealth. We are only managers who will be held accountable later.

Allah ﷻ says:
وَآتُوهُم مِّن مَّالِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي آتَاكُمْ
“And give them of the wealth of Allah which He has given you…” (QS. An-Nur: 33)

Ibn Kathir explains that this verse confirms that the wealth we have is essentially the property of Allah ﷻ, which He gives us as a test: will we be grateful and fulfill His rights, or will we be negligent and wasteful?

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said:
“لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ عُمْرِهِ فِيمَا أَفْنَاهُ، وَعَنْ عِلْمِهِ فَمَا عَمِلَ فِيهِ، وَعَنْ مَالِهِ مِنْ أَيْنَ اكْتَسَبَهُ وَفِيمَا أَنْفَقَهُ.”
(رواه الترمذي)

“The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Retirement until he is asked about his life for what he spent, his knowledge for what he did, and his wealth from where it was acquired and for what it was spent.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi)

So, it’s not just about having a large gross monthly salary. But, how do we calculate the allocation of salary with the intention of worship and according to the guidelines of sharia.

That is why managing finances is not just a technical matter, but part of worship. If salary is a mandate, then arranging it neatly is a form of mandate that is fulfilled.

Also read: How Caliphs Refused Salaries as Public Officials

Sharia Salary Allocation Formula

Once we realize that gross monthly salary is a trust, the next step is to arrange its allocation. Don’t let that trust be wasted without direction.

Here is a salary allocation formula that you can use as a basic benchmark. The goal is not to limit, but to be a guide so that life is organized and ready to level up towards safe and halal sharia investment.

Usage Post	Ideal Percentage	Brief Explanation
Basic needs	50%	Food, shelter, electricity, transportation
Zakat and alms	10%	Cleansing wealth and helping others
Emergency funds & savings	15%	For unexpected conditions, before starting investment
Sharia investment	15%	Halal business capital or mudharabah contract
Knowledge and development	10%	Books, courses, or learning to upgrade skills

Of course this formula can be adjusted to the conditions. But in principle, investment comes after basic needs and safe reserves. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“خَيْرُ الدِّيْنَارِ مَا أَنْفَقَهُ الْإِنْسَانُ عَلَىٰ أَهْلِهِ…”
(رواه مسلم)

“The best dinar is the one that is spent for the family…” (Narrated by Muslim)

Don’t rush to want money if the obligation to support is not stable. Managing finances in the early stages determines whether investment will bring blessings or problems.

Also read: Is Hidayah Awaited or Sought?

When is the Right Time to Start Investing?

This question is important, because enthusiasm alone is not enough. In Islam, investment is not just an opportunity for profit, but must be accompanied by knowledge, mental readiness, and purity of intention.

Imam Ibnul Qayyim said:

“أفضلُ المالِ ما أخذَ من طريقِ الحلالِ وأنفقَ في سبيلِ اللّهِ.”

“The best wealth is that which is taken from a lawful path and spent in a lawful way.”

So, when do you start investing? If these three things are met:

Basic needs are met stably
This means that the gross monthly salary is sufficient and routine for food, shelter, and other basic needs.
Emergency funds are available
A minimum of 3-6 months of basic expenses have been collected. This is important so that the investment does not interfere with basic needs if it fails.
Understand the contract and type of sharia investment
Avoid mutual funds or instant investments that do not have clear contracts.
Choose:
Halal business capital
Mudharabah contract (capital owner and manager)
Investment based on real goods, not speculation

A truly blessed sharia investment is not one that pursues quick profits, but one that adheres to halal limits, avoids usury, and builds long-term benefits.

Also read: Investment Tips and Tricks for Employees

Conclusion: Salary is a Trust, Manage it with Knowledge

If gross monthly salary is a trust, then managing salary properly is a form of gratitude. Don’t rush into investing if your salary is still unclear.

وَالَّذِينَ إِذَا أَنفَقُوا لَمْ يُسْرِفُوا وَلَمْ يَقْتُرُوا وَكَانَ بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ قَوَامًا
“And those who, when they spend, are not extravagant, nor stingy, but are in between these.” (QS. Al-Furqan: 67)

Let’s tidy up our gross monthly salary first. Because from that management, we can move more calmly towards sharia, realistic, and blessed investments.

Also read: Shadaqah: The Forgotten Worship for Employees