Muslim Money Talk

This episode of Muslim Money Talk dives into the dangers of poor succession planning, inheritance disputes, and the looming inheritance tax crisis for Muslim families and business owners in the UK. Guest expert Ruzwan Boota shares real-life case studies, explains Sharia-compliant wills, and highlights urgent steps families must take to protect wealth, avoid riba, and preserve unity.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 02:42 – Introduction of guest Roswan Bhuta, his background in tax advisory04:16 – Stories from advising footballers on wealth protection05:56 – Transition to iWills and focus on Muslim tax advisory07:34 – Muslim wealth, poverty stats, and proactive tax planning09:05 – Case study: business owner who delayed planning and left chaos13:04 – Family disputes, Sharia vs. non-Sharia inheritance splits16:49 – Sharia-compliant wills: rules, shares, and misconceptions20:33 – Examples of siblings inheriting in absence of sons21:29 – Using trusts to protect irresponsible heirs22:24 – Process for drafting wills quickly and affordably25:53 – Kestrel fintech interlude (ad segment)26:14 – Inheritance tax thresholds, reliefs, and new 2026 law31:43 – Financial burden on families and rise of riba loans32:52 – Urgent planning window before April 202634:17 – Shaitan’s influence in family disputes over wealth34:53 – Implications for startups and co-founders37:24 – Passing on debt and the dangers of delaying Sharia compliance39:32 – Client story: widow deciding to clear riba mortgages43:17 – Fees, transparency, and honest tax advice45:49 – Step-by-step approach: wills, trusts, and family conversations48:22 – Trust structures to protect immature beneficiaries49:53 – Importance of proactive planning, not waiting for death50:24 – Muslims and generational wealth building51:16 – Practical takeaway: seek specialist tax advice, take action now

Pontus Selander, leader of Saturna Capital's European arm and founder of a Sharia-compliant ETF, shares his transformative journey from a conventional finance career to embracing Islamic investing. He discusses the challenges of halal and ESG-aligned investments, emphasizing the lack of diverse halal options in Sweden and the UK. Pontus delves into the significance of active versus passive investing, Saturna's innovative screening process, and the importance of responsible wealth management for Muslims, encouraging ethical investment practices.

A candid conversation with financial advisor Faisal Sheikh challenges the Muslim community’s obsession with buy-to-let property and the recent outperformance narrative of Sharia funds, urging a shift toward backing real, productive businesses. The episode also wrestles with crypto’s value (or lack thereof) in Islamic ethics, practical portfolio constraints for everyday Muslims, and building financial literacy—especially for Muslim women.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 09:25 – Sharia funds landscape; small/mid-cap basics12:30 – “Outperformance” myth (US tech overweight) + risks19:19 – Deejah Money: goals-first, empowering Muslim women27:17 – Crypto: speculation vs real utility (Islamic lens)34:01 – Practical steps: emergency buffers, limited options, risk36:35 – Personal story: scarcity mindset, decisions, teaching kids60:20 – Parting advice: buffers, education, and when to seek advice

The episode follows Sheikh Salman Hassan’s personal shift from a transactional view of Islam and Islamic finance to a theology-first ethic of reflecting Allah’s attributes in life and business, prioritising real societal benefit over box-ticking legality. He urges collaboration across the industry—even pragmatically working within conventional frameworks when necessary—to tackle poverty and widen access to finance, while sharing candid stories about mentorship, ego, and spiritual transformation.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 05:03 — Spiritual crisis: knowledge without purification09:52 — From transactional deeds to ma‘rifah (reflecting Divine attributes)15:44 — Debt ethics via sabr/halim; theology-first approach to finance34:41 — Collaboration over competition; “rizq is written”49:32 — What’s missing in today’s Islamic finance56:46 — Prioritizing poverty & access; serve all society01:06:33 — Advice to fintechs: do everything with ihsan (even tidy bathrooms!)01:09:05 — Start with istighfar; the “empty pipe” ego metaphor01:12:52 — Boundaries; jamali vs jalali mercy/strength; Ali (r.a.) anecdote01:16:17 — Being mentored by someone younger; humility lessons01:17:19 — Dream of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani; signs of guidance01:20:18 — “Sacred Compass” talk aligns; offer to mentor; wrap-up

In this episode, Nabil Kazi shares his journey from working at Disney and Pixar to paving the way for Muslims in Hollywood, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities of representation in entertainment. Alongside his career insights, he reflects on personal experiences, global travels, and how storytelling can reshape narratives about Muslims worldwide.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes: 00:00 – Early days at Disney, challenges of openly being Muslim in Hollywood.00:34 – Toy Story, Pixar collaboration, and creative branding work.01:08 – Introduction of guest Nabil Kazi and his Hollywood background.02:11 – Marathons, Ironmans, and athletic pursuits.04:42 – World travel goal: visiting all 197 countries, inspired by his late father.06:36 – Highlights and misconceptions about Yemen, Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan.12:23 – Growing up near Disneyland, passion for entertainment.13:48 – Breaking into Pixar and the Toy Story franchise.20:00 – Marketing, branding, and franchise-building strategies at Disney.29:35 – Stories about working with celebrities like Tom Hanks and Miley Cyrus.32:07 – Being Muslim in Hollywood: challenges, perceptions, and representation.38:53 – Rise of Muslim creatives: Riz Ahmed, Rami Youssef, Moe, and others.46:19 – Advice on authentic Muslim storytelling without labelling.50:25 – New Muslim-led studios and changing confidence in Hollywood.56:06 – Advice for aspiring Muslim filmmakers and writers.58:21 – Streaming vs theatrical release, marketing strategies, and building franchises.1:07:03 – Inspiring more Muslims to enter entertainment.

This episode explores the challenges Muslims in the UK face around wealth creation, from limited savings to a lack of financial literacy. Guests Ahmad Ayoubi and Adel Bereksi-Reguig, co-founders of Nisba, share their personal journeys and vision for empowering Muslims with halal investment education and tools.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening 01:36 – Meet the founders of Nisba03:42 – Career journeys: trading, teaching & consulting09:41 – Reconnecting through faith and charity13:27 – Founding Nisba: from idea to platform20:09 – Leaving conventional finance for halal alternatives25:35 – The mission: education, tools & coaching35:20 – Biggest financial challenges facing UK Muslims43:06 – Who should own Islamic banks?49:25 – Challenges in halal investing & boycotts56:09 – Practical advice for young Muslims with savings1:07:31 – Final thoughts 

Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, a British-Australian-Palestinian doctor, recounts his harrowing experiences in Gaza, describing the humanitarian catastrophe, targeted destruction of healthcare workers, and his mission to establish a mobile, internationally staffed hospital to save children and rebuild medical infrastructure. He urges collective action, emphasising that every person can contribute to Gaza’s recovery beyond just seeking a ceasefire.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes: 00:00 - Opening06:41 – His motivation to become a doctor and commitment to serving in crisis zones08:43 – Firsthand account of Gaza’s conditions, lack of resources, and constant danger13:10 – Going viral while in Gaza; using social media to humanise Palestinians14:20 – Family’s reaction to his mission; personal encounters with relatives in hospitals.23:37 – The humanitarian crisis for Gaza’s children and risk of losing a generation.25:54 – Proposal for mobile, solar-powered hospitals to rebuild healthcare.31:29 – Navigating politics and risk to push the hospital project forward.41:37 – Call for global grassroots action; everyone has a role to play

In this episode, the Areeb Siddiqui interviews his grandmother, Naina, about her remarkable life spanning pre-partition India, the creation of Pakistan, and her experiences living through pivotal moments in history. She reflects on her family’s legacy, her father’s resistance during partition, and shares advice on marriage, faith, and resilience.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes:00:00 – Opening01:47 – Naina’s career as a color consultant and inventing “ash white”03:01 – Early family history: Nawabs, British titles, and their land06:57 – Grandfather’s barrister training in London and British influence10:42 – Father’s resistance during partition and move to Hyderabad14:35 – The value of jungles and the struggle over land18:55 – Hyderabad’s independence, weapons surrender, and returning to Nagpur21:22 – Bombay memories and partition violence stories25:27 – Father’s plans for Pakistan and his untimely death28:08 – Life at Bhadra House: elephants, tiger hunts, and palaces33:11 – Hunting stories: man-eating tigers and family traditions42:05 – Moving to Pakistan: Karachi in the 1960s and climate changes45:52 – Comparisons of Pakistan then vs now, 1971 war memories47:50 – Marriage and moving abroad; life in America and Europe51:29 – Living through global events: WWII, partition, 9/11 aftermath56:30 – Islamic banking, zakat, and her perspective on Kestrel59:02 – Advice on marriage, family, and resilience in life1:07:06 – Closing thoughts and reflections on her peaceful life

In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui speaks with Adil Hussain from Islamic Finance Guru (IFG) about the powerful financial lessons found in the Quran and how they can guide Muslims in managing their money ethically. They explore stories from Surah Yusuf and Surah Kahf, the role of Bitcoin and Islamic finance today, and how Muslims can build generational wealth through tools like waqf, zakat, and halal investing.This podcast is hosted by Areeb Siddiqui, the founder and CEO of Kestrl, the app that helps people to grow their wealth without compromiseFind out more about our app here: https://kestrl.io/And how we help banks here: https://business.kestrl.io/Show Notes: 00:00 – Opening02:17 – Adil’s background: From EY to Wahid to IFG04:23 – Discovering Islamic finance as a young professional08:17 – Early Islamic fintech players (Wahed, Yielders, etc.)10:19 – Adil’s switch from data science to Islamic finance content11:57 – Tips on creating viral, educational content12:49 – Personal journey of discovering Quranic financial lessons14:12 – Quran stories: The fisherman, two gardens, Musa (AS), Khidr (AS)19:39 – Surah Kahf and the spiritual danger of wealth21:53 – Arrogance and wealth: Lessons from Quranic figures24:43 – Prophets with wealth (Sulaiman AS) vs simplicity (other stories)27:49 – Story of the fishermen and divine protection of wealth33:13 – Parenting, wealth, and spiritual inheritance35:01 – Perpetual charity (waqf) and its modern impact38:58 – Evergive, Bitcoin waqf, and endowments in Islamic history42:02 – Bitcoin as an alternative monetary system45:59 – Halal status of Bitcoin and critiques of fiat money48:55 – The halal vs price debate in Islamic finance50:37 – Pricing, funding, and halal savings/mortgage products53:15 – Role of Islamic current accounts & financial conditioning56:20 – Awareness as the main barrier to adoption59:08 – Algorithms, Islamic content, and social media reach01:00:15 – Wahed’s viral Mufti Menk campaign and media reactions01:04:39 – Marketing, awareness, and IFG’s educational mission01:06:52 – Final thoughts: competition, growth, and community responsibility

Abdul Haseeb Basit, cofounder of Madinah Angels and expert in ethical fintech, joins the conversation alongside Omar Khalil, founder of the Muslim CEOs Collective. They discuss the challenges of Islamophobia in Silicon Valley and how Muslim entrepreneurs can build supportive networks. The growth of Madinah Angels and the importance of community in fostering collaboration are key topics. They emphasize the unique advantages of Islamic fintech, tackle branding issues, and share insights from the Muslim CEOs Dinner series aimed at empowering founders.