The world of forex trading has been shrouded in mystery and misconception for many years. With an increasing number of people looking to invest, the industry is worth over USD 5 trillion annually. However, with so much money floating around, it’s no wonder there are a lot of myths about what can be considered halal when it comes to this particular investment vehicle.
This blog post will talk about some misconceptions surrounding forex trading halal and dispel them for good.
Some misconceptions about forex trading halal:
Forex trading involves speculation and is therefore haram. Forex traders do not speculate because they deal in currency exchange rates, a two-way price for foreign currencies. This pricing system makes it nearly impossible to falsely manipulate the market or take on excessive risk with funds that belong to others (as one would when gambling).
-Forex is a form of Riba and, therefore, haram.
Again, for something to be termed as riba, it would need to meet three key conditions: (i) two parties involved; (ii) an excess amount given by the creditor/seller; and (iii) a delayed repayment. This is not the case with forex trading because no excess amount is given to either party or any debt incurred by the creditor/seller. There are also several other key differences between forex trading and conventional business practices.
-Allowing your spouse to trade in Forex like eToro is considered a form of financial assistance, which is not allowed.
Forex involves selling goods that are haram (such as pork products), or it may be used to finance businesses that deal in such items.
This misconception comes up mostly because most forex brokers operate online, and there is no way for them to regulate what their clients do with their funds. However, you can be sure that reputable brokers will only deal in halal items.
-Forex trading is no different than gambling or betting.
The difference between Forex and other forms of speculative investing is vast in the Shariah perspective. Forex does not involve any form of interest-bearing investment, nor does it give rise to any profits or losses that do not ultimately belong to the trader. This is one of the reasons why people question is Forex trading halal or not.
Forex trading involves gambling or speculation, which are both haram activities. These common misconceptions often arise because of the highly fluid nature of currency exchange rates; however, forex traders do not speculate with money that does not belong to them.
Conclusion:
With forex trading, there is a lot of misinformation surrounding what can be considered halal, and the industry has not been given a fair chance to flourish in some areas. However, it is essential for those considering investing their money into this market to understand that it does meet all three conditions needed to fall under Islamic law as far as permissible activity is concerned.