Halal Car Finance: Cheaper Than You Think
By Adiba Ataeva
Money Savers
5 Ways Muslim Families Are Beating the Cost Crunch
1. Batch cook
We roast two chickens at once, make three meals and use the bones for stock.
– Farah
2. Drop Heating by 1.5°C
We lowered our thermostat from 21.5°C to 20°C and moved it away from the front door. Real savings on energy bills.
– Joy
3. Switch Off Standby Mode
We use an extension lead with a master switch. Devices on standby use 5 watts each; it adds up fast.
– Muhammad
4. Repair, Don't Replace
Check out local Repair Cafés or Fixing Factories for free or cheap help with fixing appliances. Good for the planet.
– Carolyn
5. Buy in Bulk
We buy 20kg of rice and 5kg of lentils from Asian shops, then batch cook and freeze portions. Much cheaper.
– Sara
How Ayan is making Sharia-compliant finance fast and affordable
Two years ago, Abdullo Kurbanov moved to London and started taking Ubers. He noticed that most drivers were Muslim. He began asking, “How did you get your car?”
The answers troubled him. Many drivers were locked into expensive rental agreements that meant they would never own their vehicles. Others were forced into interest-bearing loans that went against their faith. For those needing hybrids or electric cars to meet London’s green transport rules, the options were even worse. Mainstream lenders turned them away as “high risk.” Abdullo saw a community being ignored. “People shouldn’t compromise on their values, ” he said, and Ayan Capital was born.
Ayan’s model is simple: they buy the car, and you rent it from them through monthly payments. At the end of the contract, Ayan sells you the car for just £1. The difference from mainstream finance is significant because Ayan assumes ownership risks lenders won’t take on.
People shouldn't compromise on their values
If your car has a fault when you collect it, Ayan takes responsibility for the repair. If there’s an accident that’s not your fault and the car is written off, Ayan covers any insurance shortfall.
And if you’re late with a payment? “We don’t charge anything – no penalties, no late fees, no nothing,” says Abdullo.
Last month, they expanded to personal car finance, opening it to anyone wanting a fair alternative. One challenge they haven’t solved yet is the lack of Halal insurance in the UK, so they use conventional insurance as a legal necessity – an exception granted by their Sharia board.
Everyone assumes Halal finance costs more. It doesn’t. Ayan often beats non-bank lenders on price by keeping operations brutally lean. With a small team in London and tech staff in Central Asia, their overheads are low and these savings are passed on to customers.
Since 2024, Ayan has financed more than 440 cars worth over £12 million. Last month alone, they received over 1,000 applications.
British Muslims no longer have to compromise. Halal car finance is here, it’s affordable and you don’t have to choose between your faith and your wheels.