Shariah Compliance
Our zakat methodology is under independent review by Azka Advisors Ltd., a UK-registered Shariah advisory firm. Until their formal endorsement is issued, we make no claim of certification.
Lead Shariah scholar: Dr. Farrukh Habib · Methodology aligned with AAOIFI Shariah Standards and classical madhab references.
Certifying authority
Azka Advisors Ltd.
UK-registered · Serving clients worldwide
Azka Advisors is a UK-based Shariah advisory firm serving the finance, fintech, crypto, and halal sectors. It blends authentic classical scholarship with modern financial insight to deliver Shariah advisory, certification and audit, research, and training, turning Shariah compliance into a strategic advantage.
- Shariah Advisory & Product Structuring
- Shariah Certification & Audit
- Research & Innovation in Islamic Finance
- Training & Capacity Building
Lead Shariah scholar
Dr. Farrukh Habib
Islamic Finance Scholar & Shariah Advisor · Azka Advisors
Dr. Farrukh Habib is an internationally recognized Shariah scholar and Islamic finance expert with over 14 years of global experience bridging classical Islamic jurisprudence and modern finance. He completed an eight-year classical Dars-e-Nizami in the Shariah sciences (Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir, and classical Arabic) at Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia, Banuri Town, Karachi, one of the Muslim world’s most respected traditional seminaries. He holds a PhD in Islamic Finance from INCEIF (the global Islamic-finance university established by the Central Bank of Malaysia) and an MSc in Banking & Finance from Queen Mary University of London. As a former researcher and co-editor of the ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance, he co-developed the ISRA-Bloomberg Shariah stock-screening and income-cleansing methodology and has authored 27+ peer-reviewed works spanning zakat, stock screening, sukuk, and Islamic fintech. He is a government-registered Shariah advisor with Pakistan’s SECP and Malaysia’s Labuan FSA, and is the Founder & CEO of Azka Advisors.
- PhD in Islamic Finance, INCEIF (established by the Central Bank of Malaysia)
- MSc in Banking & Finance, Queen Mary University of London
- 8-year classical Dars-e-Nizami (Shariah sciences) at Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia, Banuri Town, Karachi
- Former Researcher & Co-Editor, ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance
- Registered Shariah Advisor with SECP (Pakistan) and Labuan FSA (Malaysia)
- Co-architect of the ISRA-Bloomberg Shariah stock-screening methodology
- Founder & CEO, Azka Advisors
Independent Shariah oversight
Azka Advisors Ltd. provides independent Shariah review of the platform under a formal advisory engagement, meaning the methodology is reviewed on a continuing basis as the platform evolves, not just once. Each module is reviewed and, on completion, covered by a formal written Shariah endorsement issued by Azka Advisors.
Modules covered
- Zakat calculation methodology (multi-madhab)Under review
What is under review
- Madhab-specific zakat rules across the four Sunni schools (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, Hanbali)
- Zakatable asset categorization and eligible liability (debt) deductions
- Nisab thresholds (85g gold / 595g silver) and mixed-nisab treatment
- Hawl (lunar-year) tracking, anniversary logic, and Hawl-break handling
- Personal jewelry rulings and retirement-account treatment
- The CRI / Liquid Assets calculation method
- The zakat rate (2.5%) and overall calculation methodology
Assessed against the Zakat Calculation Compliance Matrix (June 2026).
On Jaʼfari (Shia) coverage: Jaʼfari (Twelver Shia) zakat and khums logic sits outside Azka Advisors’ scope of practice and is excluded from this engagement. It is being reviewed separately by a qualified Jaʼfari scholar.
Methodology & sources
Every calculation is grounded in published, verifiable sources rather than invented rulings: AAOIFI Shariah Standards, the resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC), AMJA, and the classical references of each madhab. Read more about the sources we rely on on our About page.
The endorsement (what to expect)
On satisfactory completion of the review, Azka Advisors Ltd. will issue a formal written Shariah Compliance Endorsement for the zakat methodology. Each endorsement will:
- State the name and organization of the advisor and the date of certification
- Define the exact scope of coverage
- Be version-referenced to the specific methodology and codebase reviewed
- Be accompanied by a plain-language methodology note for end users
We will publish the signed endorsement document on this page as soon as it is issued.
Frequently asked questions
Is the zakat methodology Shariah certified yet?
Not yet. The zakat methodology is under active independent review by Azka Advisors Ltd. under a formal advisory engagement. In line with that engagement, we make no claim of Shariah certification until Azka issues its formal written endorsement. Until then, calculations remain grounded in published sources including AAOIFI Shariah Standards and classical madhab references.
Is this a real engagement, or just a plan?
It is a real, formal engagement with Azka Advisors Ltd., a UK-registered Shariah advisory firm, on an ongoing (not one-off) basis. It covers the zakat methodology first, followed progressively by investment screening, estate planning, and the AI assistant. The commercial terms of the agreement are private.
Who is conducting the review?
Azka Advisors Ltd., a UK-registered Shariah advisory firm. The named lead Shariah scholar is Dr. Farrukh Habib, Founder and CEO of Azka Advisors, who holds a PhD in Islamic Finance from INCEIF, classical seminary training, and registration as a Shariah advisor with Pakistan’s SECP and Malaysia’s Labuan FSA.
When will the endorsement be issued?
The zakat methodology is the priority module, with written findings and the corresponding formal endorsement targeted within 4–6 weeks of the review commencing. Once issued, each endorsement states the advisor’s name and organization, the date, the defined scope, and is version-referenced to the reviewed methodology.
Does the review cover the Jaʼfari (Shia) calculation?
Azka Advisors covers the four Sunni schools. Jaʼfari (Twelver Shia) zakat and khums logic is outside their scope of practice and is being reviewed separately by a qualified Jaʼfari scholar.
What sources is the methodology based on?
The methodology draws on AAOIFI Shariah Standards, the resolutions of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (OIC), AMJA, and the classical references of each madhab.
This tool is educational and does not issue fatwas or replace personal advice from a scholar you trust. For rulings specific to your situation, please consult a qualified scholar.