In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui sits down with Mufti Faraz Adam to navigate complex intersections of technology, ethics, and finance within an Islamic framework.

Key Discussion Topics:

AI and Islamic Scholarship: The conversation explores the role of Artificial Intelligence in Islam. Mufti Faraz explains that while AI acts as a useful “smart library” for accessing information, it cannot replace a qualified scholar because issuing a fatwa is a form of ibada (worship) requiring human accountability, moral agency, and tradition.

Riba and Interest: The speakers address whether modern interest is identical to the Quranic prohibition of riba. Mufti Faraz outlines the historical forms of riba and emphasizes the need to understand Islamic finance principles while acknowledging the practical realities Muslims face in the current economic landscape.

Inheritance and Zakat: The discussion clarifies misconceptions regarding inheritance laws and the specific guidelines for the distribution of zakat, highlighting that zakat serves as a spiritual safety net for the poor and needy rather than a tool for political campaigning.

Investing and Stock Screening: They discuss the origins of 5%, 30%, and 33% stock-screening rules, noting that these percentages provide a foundational boundary, though investors should ideally strive for 100% compliance where possible.

The Future of Islamic Finance: Mufti Faraz Adam introduces a new educational course for the everyday Muslim to bridge the gap between complex scholarship and financial literacy. He stresses that the future of the Muslim community lies in building robust systems , rather than relying on isolated individuals, to sustain long term economic growth and social welfare.