This is how RizqX plans to dispel misconceptions and redefine Islamic Finance for the modern world

Why is your work important to the world today? 

In my 10 years engaging with the Southeast Asia Muslim community on Islamic finance, I’ve often heard concerns that halal investments only involve negative screenings and have limited options that underperform compared to conventional investments.

RizqX is breaking that barrier by serving as the gateway to halal investment — connecting investors in Singapore and eventually Southeast Asia to public and private investment options that are shariah-compliant, high-performing, and affordable. Together with Islamic Finance Singapore (IFSG), we empower the community with financial literacy and wealth-building opportunities. 

Our work is about inclusion, innovation and impact, redefining Islamic Finance for the modern world. 

How would you define innovation in the work that you do? 

To me, innovation is about creating value that benefits people, a principle I first learned from the Malay book Saya Remaja Inovatif. As a halal investor for over nine years, my experience with various platforms has highlighted gaps in the market. 

We built RizqX not to reinvent the wheel but to address the unmet needs. By reimagining the halal investing experience based on real investor needs, we aggregate investments, provide unbiased, factual reviews, build communities, and offer all-in-one investment management. Having been a halal investor since 2013, I know exactly what our community requires, and that’s what we’re delivering. 

What do people most misunderstand about what the work you do aims to achieve? 

Many assume RizqX is a financial advisory firm, brokerage, or fund house — but we are none of these. Our mission is not to sell financial products but to empower individuals through education, accessibility, and control over their investments.

We serve as an aggregator, providing informed choices through research, reviews, and community-driven insights. By opening access to halal public and private investments, we help investors build, manage, and optimise their portfolios on their terms. 

What would success in the work you do look like? 

Success means Muslim investors recognise the wide range of halal investment options, both public and private, as a starting point for their financial journey. It’s about making informed decisions that extend beyond just investing, covering personal finance as a whole.

Success also involves dispelling misconceptions — halal investments don’t sacrifice returns and aren’t limited to Muslims. 

As more players enter this space, we aim to drive an ecosystem shift, encouraging wider adoption of halal investments and the creation of new funds. Ultimately, RizqX is more than just a platform; it is a catalyst for change, driving a new wave of ethical investing for all. 

What small but impactful changes have you introduced that challenge the status quo in your industry? 

We’ve challenged the status quo by reviewing over 100 public and private halal investments, offering investors clarity and choice like never before. RizqX also serves as a marketplace for investors to connect with financial advisors who align with their values. 

Beyond just access, we continue to drive public education with IFSG through initiatives like our flagship Rizq Investment Festival, which has successfully run twice, and by addressing the community’s questions that previously had no clear avenues for guidance. 

By combining transparency, accessibility, and education, we’re reshaping Islamic finance into something more inclusive, informed, and investor-friendly. 

What has been the most challenging part of your job that you have never shared with anyone? 

One of the toughest challenges has been balancing work and family. Since getting married in July 2023, I’ve sometimes been too consumed by work and unintentionally neglecting time with my wife. Managing two companies from the ground up adds to the challenge, as focusing on one often means the other risks being overlooked.

Imposter syndrome also sometimes creeps in. I don’t have a CFA, and I sometimes feel there are more qualified finance professionals in our community. But I remind myself that impact isn’t just about credentials; it’s about solving real problems and creating opportunities for others. 

When you look at the state of the world today, what is the one thing that gives you hope? 

What gives me hope is seeing real progress in the halal investment space. More products are emerging, and community awareness is growing, showing a genuine interest in ethical investing. This growing interest is attracting information providers, some of whom we have already partnered with (such as The KayaRaya Podcast), and we hope to explore more collaborations with providers to strengthen the ecosystem. 

Once reserved for large institutions, sophisticated financial tools are now accessible even to startups like ours, enabling us to innovate faster and provide solutions to the community. 

Most importantly, the support we receive from those who believe in our mission reminds me that change happens when we share our stories and build together.