Wahed Investing is one of the most widely known Islamic fintech platforms offering halal investment services to Muslim investors.
Founded in 2015, Wahed provides a robo-advisor platform designed to help Muslims invest in portfolios that follow Islamic finance principles. The company offers automated investment portfolios, retirement accounts, and access to Sharia-compliant ETFs.
This review explains how Wahed Investing works, what products it offers, and what Muslim investors should consider before using the platform.
If you're new to halal investing, see:
Ready to compare halal options?
What Is Wahed Investing?
Wahed Investing is a halal robo-advisor platform that builds diversified investment portfolios using Sharia-compliant assets.
Rather than selecting individual stocks, investors answer a series of questions about their financial goals and risk tolerance. The platform then constructs a portfolio designed to match the investor’s profile.
These portfolios typically include a mix of Sharia-compliant equities, sukuk (Islamic bonds), gold, and other asset classes depending on the investor’s allocation.
How Wahed Portfolios Work
Wahed portfolios are built using a diversified asset allocation model designed to match different levels of investment risk.
Investors are typically placed into portfolios ranging from conservative allocations to more growth-focused strategies.
Assets in Wahed portfolios may include:
- Sharia-compliant equity ETFs
- Sukuk or Islamic fixed-income investments
- Gold or commodity exposure
- Cash allocations for lower-risk portfolios
The platform automatically manages portfolio rebalancing over time.
HLAL ETF
Wahed is also associated with the HLAL ETF, a Sharia-compliant exchange-traded fund that tracks a portfolio of screened global equities.
Like other halal ETFs, HLAL applies industry exclusions and financial ratio screens to determine which companies may be included.
For a deeper breakdown of the ETF, see:
Wahed Retirement Accounts
Wahed also offers retirement investment accounts designed for long-term halal investing.
These may include tax-advantaged retirement structures that allow investors to build portfolios while maintaining Sharia-compliant asset screening.
Retirement investing can play an important role in long-term financial planning for Muslim families.
Wahed Everyday Account
Wahed also offers an everyday Sharia-compliant financial account designed to provide basic financial services alongside the investment platform.
This product is intended to provide Muslims with an alternative financial account aligned with Islamic financial principles.
Fees and Costs
Like most robo-advisor platforms, Wahed charges management fees for portfolio management.
Investors may also incur the underlying expense ratios of ETFs or funds included in their portfolio.
Because fees affect long-term investment returns, investors often compare different halal investing platforms before choosing one.
Wahed vs Self-Directed Halal Investing
Some Muslim investors prefer robo-advisors like Wahed because the platform automatically manages portfolio allocation.
Others prefer to build their own halal investment portfolios using individual stocks or halal ETFs.
For example, some investors purchase ETFs directly through brokerage accounts.
You can explore halal ETF options here:
Sharia Screening
Wahed applies Islamic screening criteria designed to exclude companies involved in industries considered impermissible under Islamic finance principles.
These screens typically evaluate both business activity and financial ratios.
To learn how these screening rules work, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wahed Investing halal?
Wahed builds portfolios using investments that are screened for Sharia compliance, although individual investors may review the screening methodology to ensure it aligns with their preferences.
What is the HLAL ETF?
HLAL is a Sharia-compliant ETF associated with Wahed that invests in screened global equities.
Is Wahed a robo-advisor?
Yes. Wahed functions as a robo-advisor platform that builds and manages investment portfolios automatically based on the investor’s profile.
The Bottom Line
Wahed Investing is one of the most prominent halal robo-advisor platforms available to Muslim investors.
Compare providers in your state
See side-by-side comparisons of Shariah-compliant products, or let our matcher recommend the best options for your situation.
The platform offers automated investment portfolios, retirement accounts, and access to Sharia-compliant ETFs.
While some investors prefer automated platforms like Wahed, others choose to build their own halal portfolios using individual stocks or ETFs.
