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Welcome to Islamic Finance 101, a course introducing the core principles of Islamic finance, including contracts, transactions and ethical practices.

Watch the course on YouTube via our playlist or through the Muslim Money Matters website.

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Episode 1: Introduction to Contracts & Transactions

In this first episode, we cover the fundamentals of Islamic finance, the importance of earning a livelihood, and dive into the Islamic law of contracts and business transactions. You’ll learn about the different types of transactions, ownership categories, and key conditions within contracts that shape ethical financial practices in Islam.

Episode 2: Understanding Wealth and Money

In this episode, we explore wealth and money from an Islamic perspective. Learn why wealth is both a blessing and a trial, the role of money in society, and how to use it in a way that benefits both yourself and others.

Episode 3: Key Prohibitions: Riba and Gharar...

Join me for a relaxed coffee break as I step back from the usual topics to share personal insights on life, career choices and lessons I've learned along the way. Let’s have a chat and hopefully you’ll find something that resonates with your own journey.

Explore the profound wisdom behind Islamic finance and its fundamental differences from conventional financial systems. This video contrasts the impacts of these two approaches on the economy, emphasizing how Islamic finance fosters real economic growth, while conventional finance often leads to the financialization of the economy.

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This reaction video offers an Islamic analysis of a discussion between Christian and Jewish theologians and scholars about the biblical prohibition of interest (usury). As these scholars grapple with the concept of interest in modern economics, the video presents an Islamic perspective on their interpretations and misunderstandings.

Key points covered:

- The Biblical prohibition of interest / usury
- Jewish and Christian scholars' attempts to reconcile Biblical teachings with modern economy
- Jordan Peterson's struggle to understand the wisdom behind the interest ban
- Common misconceptions about interest or usury
- The Islamic view on interest-based economics and its potential societal impacts
- A critical examination of the Christian and Jewish arguments
- Wisdom of religious teachings on finance in our current economic system

This video unpacks the complexities of interest or usury and its implications for our modern world, offering viewers a unique...

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In this video, we explore Ibn Taymiyyah's profound insights on the dangers of money debasement and inflation. Discover how his economic wisdom remains relevant today, especially in understanding the role of government in maintaining the value of currency. Learn why Ibn Taymiyyah warned against the overproduction of money and the consequences it has on society.

*Book referenced in the video is available at https://www.almircolan.com/blog/5books

------ Learn more:

To learn more about Islamic finance and economy and to support MMM in producing future financial literacy videos like this, consider becoming a member of our Muslim Money Matters platform.

Join us at www.muslimmoneymatters.com 

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In this video, we talk about the importance of financial self-sufficiency, emphasizing the need for individuals to provide for themselves and their families rather than relying on others.

The discussion includes reflections on the value of work to preserve dignity and avoid the pitfalls of dependency. The video encourages viewers to adopt a productive / Upper Hand mindset, build skills, and contribute positively to their communities and wider economy, guided by Islamic principles.

References used in the video:

“Man by nature needs something to feed him and to provide for him in all the conditions and stages of his life.” - Ibn Khaldun, Muqaddimah

"It is better for anyone of you to carry a bundle of wood on his back and sell it than to beg of someone whether he gives him or refuses."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

"The upper hand is better than the lower hand; the upper hand is that which gives and the lower hand is that which asks." (Sunan an-Nasa'i)

...

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Is Forex halal, and what is the Islamic perspective on trading currencies?

While currency exchange occurs in various forms, such as spot transactions for institutions or personal use when traveling, we focus on the most prevalent method today: Forex trading through contracts for difference (CFDs).

If you've seen ads by popular platforms or influencers inviting you to their "get rich quick" courses on learning how to trade Forex, this is the way they are doing it—via contracts for difference. Additionally, you might have noticed that these same platforms often offer Islamic forex trading options that supposedly avoid interest. But the question is: what really happens when you engage in forex trading on these platforms, and are you actually buying anything at all?

Tune in to understand the nuances and Shariah considerations when it comes to forex trading and whether Islamic options are any better than conventional ones.

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In this video, we address the common misconceptions about Riba (interest), which is often mistakenly thought to be solely about exploitation, financial outcomes, or unrelated to modern banking practices. In reality, Riba fundamentally involves any excess in specific transactions. We'll delve into key narrations to clarify these misunderstandings and distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate profit in Islam.

Is Exploitation the Reason for the Prohibition of Riba?

Some argue that riba (interest) is only prohibited because it exploits others, suggesting that small amounts of riba could be acceptable. This mirrors what Christians did: claiming large amounts of riba (which they call usury) are haram due to exploitation, but small amounts (called interest) are halal.

So let's make this clear—whether it's a small or large amount, exploitation or not, all riba is haram. Why? To prevent any possibility of injustice and exploitation. By adding the condition...

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Sultan Mehmed al-Fatih, also known as Mehmed the Conqueror, fulfilled the prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) by conquering Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire. Celebrated for his vision and strategic brilliance, he transformed the iconic Aya Sofia into a Waqf, ensuring its financial self-sufficiency and securing its legacy as a mosque for centuries. His actions not only solidified his legacy as a great conqueror but also as a wise and forward-thinking leader.

In this video:
Explore how Sultan Mehmed al-Fatih's waqf endowment for Aya Sofia ensured its self-sufficiency. Learn about his innovative financial strategy and the lessons for us today in supporting strategically important projects.

Learn More and Support Our Work!

To learn more about Islamic finance and economy and to support MMM in producing future financial literacy videos like this, consider becoming a member of our Muslim Money Matters...

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In this video, we explore how Islamic finance works by connecting its activities to the real economy to bring value and benefit to society as a whole.

Unlike conventional finance, which often deals with money-for-money transactions and leads to the financialization of the economy, Islamic finance focuses on tangible assets and real wealth creation.

Learn More and Support Our Work!
To learn more about Islamic finance and economy and to support MMM in producing future financial literacy videos like this, consider becoming a member of our Muslim Money Matters platform.

Join us at www.muslimmoneymatters.com