Many Muslims are concerned that financing a car is haram. This is because taking or giving interest (riba) is forbidden in Islam.

However, Islamic car finance options have been developed to help you use your money wisely and spread the cost of buying a car whilst following Sharia rules in the process. Read on to find out how you can do this!

Leased Cars

Leased cars are a great option for those looking to get into a new vehicle with no initial purchase outlay. They also provide a low-maintenance option that gives you a fresh car every few years, often with free maintenance warranty and the most up-to-date features available.

However, if you’re considering leasing a vehicle, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully. You’ll need to assess your lifestyle, driving needs and financial situation to determine which method of financing is best for you.

One thing to consider is how much you drive each year. Generally, leasing contracts have a yearly mileage limit that averages over the length of the lease. If you exceed that limit, you’ll be subject to a mileage penalty at the end of the term.

Another major consideration is whether or not you can afford the monthly payments. If you can’t afford the payments, it’s probably a better idea to buy your car instead.

You’ll also need to consider other costs associated with leasing, including fees for excess mileage, modifications and wear and tear. These can add up quickly if you don’t factor them into your budget.

Finally, you’ll need to calculate the residual value of your leased car at the end of the lease. This will give you a good idea of what to expect when it comes time to buy the vehicle.

Leasing contracts are a popular choice for Muslims because they don’t violate Islamic Sharia rules regarding interest and speculation, which is prohibited in Islam. They also allow you to spread your money out over a long period of time, whilst adhering to the strict rules on Islamic finance.

Personal Contract Purchase (PCP)

If you’re looking to buy a new or used car, PCP can be a great way to make your money go further. It’s available at many dealerships and can be taken out for cars of all shapes and sizes, from superminis to crossovers and SUVs.

A PCP agreement acts like a loan, but unlike a personal loan, you don’t pay off the full value of the car until the end of the term, unless you choose to keep it. It is a popular option as it offers lower monthly payments than Hire Purchase, while giving you the choice to return the car or pay a final balloon payment to own the vehicle at the end of the contract.

At the start of a PCP deal you will be given a value for the car, which is known as the Balloon Payment or Minimum Guaranteed Future Value (MGFV). This figure is usually higher than the actual market price at the end of the PCP period so it gives you a safety net if the market falls.

The Balloon Payment can be repaid, or the difference between it and the value of the car can be used to ‘trade in’ for another PCP finance deal when it’s time to buy your next car. This can help reduce your deposit, making the monthly repayments on your next car much cheaper.

If you’re looking for a sharia-compliant alternative to PCP, Hire Purchase (HP) could be an option. It is not only a cheaper way to buy a new car, but it can also be halal. However, HP deals are not as flexible as PCP deals, so it’s worth checking that the finance company you’re dealing with is Sharia compliant before you sign up.

Hire Purchase (HP)

A car hire purchase (HP) agreement is a type of finance that enables you to buy a vehicle without having to pay the full price upfront. This is a simple and straightforward way to spread the cost of your next car, but it can have some disadvantages too.

One of the main advantages of HP is that it allows you to take a car out in small monthly payments, so you can afford it without breaking the bank. It can be used to purchase a new or used car and is generally easier to organise than PCP or leasing deals.

Another advantage of HP is that it has no mileage restrictions and you can own the car at the end of the contract. However, there are a few things to be aware of before you decide to go for this option.

As with most types of financing, you will be required to make regular payments for the duration of your HP agreement. The amount you pay each month is based on the size of your deposit and the length of the agreement.

You can also choose to have a final option to purchase fee at the end of your contract, which will often be much smaller than the normal monthly repayments. This is known as a balloon payment, and it can be a good idea to read the terms and conditions carefully before you agree to this.

A hire purchase agreement can be arranged through a car dealership or garage, but you should be aware that these businesses will not actually provide the loan – they will be acting as a credit intermediary and earning a commission from the lender for arranging your finance. It is important to check that your retailer is authorised by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

Murabaha

Murabaha is one of the most popular Islamic finance products. It’s often used for financing car purchases and other types of goods. It’s also a common option in short-term trade, such as issuing letters of credit for importers.

The main difference between Murabaha and traditional loans is that it includes a markup of the cost price in the transaction instead of interest. This is considered halal under Islam’s Sharia law, and it can be a great way to buy a car without paying interest on the loan.

Clients can use Murabaha to purchase a wide range of goods, including cars, household appliances, and real estate. It’s a popular alternative to loans in many sectors, and it’s particularly useful for businesses that need to buy machinery or equipment.

As with other Islamic finance products, there are a number of conditions that need to be met for Murabaha to be halal. For example, the bank must be able to show that all requirements for the transaction have been met. It must also ensure that the goods are purchased at the agreed upon price, and that the transaction is legitimate.

In addition, there are a few risks involved with Murabaha financing. For instance, there’s a fiduciary risk that a client may fail to administer the trust and agency accounts and a liquidity risk, which is why some Islamic banks include Takaful insurance with their Murabaha contracts to mitigate these risks.

Another important consideration is that the bank must be able to show that the transaction was legitimate and not fraudulent or illegal. This is especially true when it comes to purchasing goods in the name of a client, as this can lead to a breach of trust.

Interest-Free Credit

When it comes to purchasing a car, many people prefer to use finance options instead of paying cash. However, this can be challenging for Muslims who want to follow Sharia compliant financial practices.

The first thing you need to understand is that it is haram (prohibited) for Muslims to receive or pay interest in Islamic law. This is because Islamic law prohibits usury and exploitative practices.

A common example of this is when you go to a bank and take out a loan. The bank then rearranges your payments so you have to pay more each month. This is fine from a sharia perspective as it’s just a delay fee, but some people can point to this as hypocrisy because the bank still makes money.

Another example of this is when you buy a car with installments and the price increases by more than the cash price. This is riba.

This is because the fee they charge in return for agreeing to wait to receive their money is the difference between the price in installments and the cash price. This is considered riba in Islam because it is increasing the price of an item because it is being sold in installments rather than cash.

If you are thinking of using an Interest-Free Credit option to purchase a car, be sure to check that it is halal for Muslims. Also, make sure that you can pay off your purchase before the interest-free period ends. Otherwise, you might be caught out by high interest rates. It’s also a good idea to get loan protection insurance to protect you from unexpected expenses that can occur if you aren’t able to repay your debt in time.