Have you ever felt FOMO after seeing your friends start investing in this or that? Some have seen their portfolios grow, some profit from sharia-compliant stocks, and some even just started but already look really cool. We’re tempted to follow suit. But have you ever stopped and asked yourself: “Is this really safe? Is this halal?”
After all, in Islam, what counts is not just the results, but also the process. And before we talk about returns or investment strategies, we need to determine one important thing: is this shariah compliance investment?
Clean Before Growing: The Foundation of Anti-Doubtful Investment
Nowadays, everything is fast-paced. Many people want to move up in financial class, get rich quickly, and be secure quickly. But unfortunately, that enthusiasm is often not matched by knowledge. Profit is the most important thing, and what’s halal or haram comes later. In fact, according to Islamic law, growing wealth isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the halal or haram nature of the process.
Before discussing portfolios, diversification, or profit, there’s one fundamental question: “Is it halal? Is it thayyib?” Because if the foundation is dirty, the results won’t be peaceful. It might not be a blessing that comes, but a burden.
Allah ﷻ said :
يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا
” O messengers, eat from the good things and do good deeds.” (QS. Al-Mu’minun : 51)
If the prophets were commanded to eat only what is halal and pure, how much more so for us, whose good deeds fluctuate? Wealth is a test. In the afterlife, we will be asked not only “where did we get it from” but also “what did we use it for.”
Therefore, before choosing an investment platform, before being attracted by the return figures, let’s clarify our intentions and path. Sharia-compliant investment principles teach us that cleanliness is not a barrier to growth, but its foundation. What is clean, God willing, will grow peacefully and bring blessings.
The Risk of Accumulating Wealth Without Paying Attention to the Entry
Many people think that more wealth equals greater security. However, in Islam, the measure is not quantity, but its blessings. And those blessings come from lawful sources, not large sums.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
” يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ مَا يُبَالِي الرَّجُلُ مِنْ أَيْنَ أَصَابَ الْمَالَ مِنْ حَلَالٍ أَوْ حَرَام ٍ”
” There will come to mankind a time when a person does not care where he gets his wealth, from what is lawful or what is haram ..”
( HR. An-Nasa’i No. 4378)
This seems to be a common occurrence these days. Many people don’t know, or pretend not to know, whether their investments are free from usury, gharar, or other forbidden elements. While they might seem profitable, they could be accumulating sins.
Impure wealth can have far-reaching consequences. It can lead to unanswered prayers, unaccepted worship, and even life feeling unblessed. The Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him) once told of a traveler whose prayers were sincere, but because his wealth came from unlawful sources, he said:
” فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لَه ُ؟”
” Then how will his prayers be answered ?”
( HR. At-Tirmidhi No. 2915)
Don’t underestimate it. Unlawful or questionable wealth not only pollutes your bank account, but also your heart. It causes anxiety and distances you from Allah’s mercy .
Also read: Wealth as a Tool, Not a Goal in Islam
Between Wanting to Grow and Fear of Deviating
Many people are feeling confused. On the one hand, they want to grow financially, but on the other, they’re afraid of making a mistake. Some are just starting out, but they’re confused about whether the marriage contract is clear. Others have already started, but then backed out because they felt doubtful. There are even those who say, “The important thing is my intentions are good.”
However, in Islam, good intentions alone are not enough. If the method is wrong, it will still not be accepted. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ”
” O people, indeed Allah is good. He will not accept anything but what is good. And indeed Allah has commanded the believers as He commanded the Messengers .”
( HR. Muslim , No. 1686)
Peace of mind in investing isn’t about constantly rising numbers, but rather about being certain that what we hold is halal and approved by Allah . If your heart starts to feel uneasy because of an unclear contract, it’s a sign that your faith is still alive. Don’t ignore it.
Also read: Urgency of Holding Cash and Avoiding Buying Too Much Not Liquid Assets
Dig for Knowledge, Straighten the Path
So, how can we continue to grow while remaining safe and halal? The answer is simple but crucial: seek knowledge and straighten out the path.
Learn the basics first. Understand the contracts in muamalah (trading), understand what riba (usury), and avoid transactions that involve elements of maysir (risk) or gharar (risk of risk). Shariah compliance investment isn’t about following the crowd, but about responsibility.
Umar bin Khattab رضي الله عنه once said:
“Do not trade in our markets unless you have mastered (jurisprudence). Otherwise, you could fall into usury, whether you realize it or not.”
(Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, also mentioned by Ibn al-Qayyim)
Umar spoke to ordinary traders, not religious scholars. He meant that anyone who wants to enter the world of business or investment must learn. Good intentions without knowledge can still be misguided.
Also read: Financial Planning in Times of Crisis
Khatimah: Cleanliness is a Foundation, Not an Obstacle
Islam teaches us one important principle: cleanliness before growth. Not just cleanliness from the dust of this world, but cleanliness from doubtful matters, usury, and transactions that violate Sharia law.
This isn’t pessimism. In fact, it’s what makes our growth strong, solid, and blessed. Wealth that comes through halal means may feel slow, but God willing, it brings peace. Meanwhile, wealth that comes quickly but through haram or questionable means will sooner or later collapse.
Watch your steps. Ensure every financial decision remains within the bounds of Sharia. Ultimately, Sharia-compliant investing isn’t just about increasing wealth, but about drawing closer to Allah’s pleasure .
So, let’s make sure we’re clean before we grow. Because only what’s clean can truly grow.
Also read: Financial Discipline from an Islamic Perspective
Let’s Visit, Zeed and join for halal investment with Zeed.
Reference
Al-Qur’an al-Karim.
An-Nasā’ī, Imam. Sunan an-Nasā’ī, hadith no. 4378. Accessed from: https://www.hadits.id/hadits/nasai/4378
Muslim, Sahih Muslim, no. 1686. Accessed from: https://www.hadits.id/hadits/muslim/1686
At-Tirmidhi, Jāmi’ at-Tirmidhi, no. 2915, Accessed from: https://www.hadits.id/hadits/tirmidzi/2915 Ibnul Qayyim al-Jauziyyah. I’lam al-Muwaqqi’in ‘an Rabb al-‘Alamin. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah