Muslims should take advantage of the boom witnessed in the Indian Equity markets and they should not get left behind in the economic growth that is being witnessed throughout the country and would remain for years to come. India is one of the fastest growing nations in the world with the GDP growing over 6 % for 2018-19 and expected to grow above 5 to 7 % in 2020 onwards.

In order to remain in the main stream of the economy and get equitable investment opportunity, Equity stock markets (The Islamic way) provides the most cost effective investment solution for the Muslims. Equity markets have proved that they are not only the most effective, transparent, liquid and conducive to small and big size investors as a means of investment, but history has also proved that it outperforms all other asset classes where return on investments is the parameter considered. In the long term equity market always goes up. Hence Muslims must invest in the equity market.

1. Fixed Interest (Riba) Based Investments
Fixed interest (Riba) based investments like the saving Bank deposit, Bank FDR; Postal savings, Debentures, Bonds etc are prohibited in Islam. Allah says in the Quran, ‘O those who believe, do not eat Riba (usury or interest) multiplied many times. And fear Allah, so that you may be successful. ’ (Al-Imran verse 130) Islam has discouraged fixed saving and withholding wealth but it has encouraged Business & Investments. ‘Profit should be earned only with the risk of losses, in equity investment the profit and loss is shared in proportion to the investments made. Thus, investment in equity market is in accordance to the Quran and Hadeeth injunctions.

2.Investment in Real Estate
Investment in Real estate/ properties, although permissible in Islam but it has certain disadvantages over equities. First, because of the unit size, it is not possible for every individual to buy property since the cost involved is huge whereas, one can invest in equity for an amount as low as Rs. One thousand and there is no upper limits. Secondly, property is subject to a lot of legal paper work and one has to go through a very cumbersome procedure to acquire properties. However, it is very easy to buy and sell shares by being a member of a SEBI registered broker. So buying and selling shares is as easy as snapping your fingers. Finally, there is often a threat of encroachment of the property which involves costly litigation. Equity shares have a big advantage here since the stocks purchased get directly deposited in the investor's Demat account where it is in the safe custody and one can sell them whenever and as much as he wants to sell. If returns on investments as a parameter considered than historically it’s proved that returns earned in equity investments is superior to all the asset classes including the real estate.

3. Investments in Conventional Mutual Funds
Investments in Conventional Mutual Funds is not permissible from the view point that these mutual funds are not mandate to follow Shariah norms thus they do invest in stocks of ‘Haram’ or prohibited businesses like liquor, banks, hotels , entertainment, casino etc. that is strictly prohibited in Islam, hence profit earned from these mutual funds is impure and tainted. Investment done by mutual funds does not take in to account the companies with huge interest based debt and high interest earning. Over 45 % of the Indian equity market is not shariah compliant. Apart from this Mutual funds carry out days trading and derivatives trading which is not permitted in Islamic trading, hence conventional Mutual Funds are not shariah compliant instrument for Muslims to invest. However, Muslims can invest in Shariah compliant Mutual fund / Shariah compliant PMS / Shariah ETFs.

One more point that goes in the favour of equity stock markets is the Capital gains tax advantage. There is no capital gains tax for long term investors i.e. if the investment is held for more than one year. And for the short term investments for less than a year, investors have to pay only 15 % percent tax on its gains. Muslims must take advantage of this benefit and invest in equities that would help them create wealth in the long term in the Shariah way.

The concerning part in the equities investment is the market risk and volatility. In order to overcome this and to optimize Halal return on investments, one needs to take guidance from Shariah based Equity Research advisors and Fund managers who can guide and advice them on what to buy and most importantly when to buy and sell. If this part is taken care of diligently, then equity investment is a best option for the Muslims.

ROLE OF SHARIAH SCHOLARS
Islam makes ‘Lawful Earning’ (Halal) mandatory, and in Islam, the spiritual and secular aspects are one and the same. This implies that Islam emphasizes the need to make a living by means that are permissible under it. After many years of debate and discussions and looking into the need for Muslims to invest in equity markets as an alternate to bank and insurance Islamic scholars have permitted Muslims to invest in equity markets with certain strict stipulated conditions. With the help of computer technology and with so much of information available, now it is possible to screen the companies on Shariah norms,Shariah scholars have imposed investment restriction and conditions and only upon fulfilling these conditions Muslims can invest in equity markets the Halal way.

The conditions laid down are as follows:
1.Restriction based on the type of Securities: Investment should only be done in Shariah compliant stocks as defined. A security trading in derivatives and day trading in stocks is strictly not permitted. Short selling is prohibited. Securities should only be sold after having its complete possession.

2.Restriction on Business Activity: No investment shall be made in stocks of the companies whose business activity is Prohibited (Haram)
 a.Conventional interest based banks and other financial institutions like banks, NBFC, Insurance companies, stock brokers etc.
  b.Alcoholic beverages like wine and other liquor related products and services.
  c.Pork and non- Halal food products
  d.Entertainment includes film production companies, cinema, Cable TV, music etc.

3. Restriction based on financial ratios:Apart from the above restriction on business activity, Islamic scholars from different part of the world have set certain financial criteria based on the need. In India Islamic Investment & Finance Board (IIFB) comprising of eminent scholars have approved the following financial criteria:
  a.Interest bearing debt of the companies should not exceed 33 percent of its twelve months average market capitalization.
  b. Cash plus interest bearing securities of the companies should not exceed 33 percent of its twelve months average market capitalization.
  c. Trade receivable and other debtors of the companies to its twelve months average market capitalization should not exceed 33 percent.
   d.Interest Income plus prohibited activity (impure) income of the companies to the company’s total income should not exceed 5 percent.

4.Shariah Screening Process: Shariah screening is conducted for all the listed equities as prescribed and mandated by Shariah scholars. This process is done every quarterly. Those stocks that successfully pass the Shariah screens are thus called Shariah complaint universe. This process is done under the supervisor and audit of Shariah committee of Aalims and muftis.

5.Purification of Impure Income (purging): The income thus derived from trading and investments in shares do have some portion of impure or prohibited income. This income can be in form of interest received by the companies or some prohibited activity carried on by the company that earns impure or tainted income needs to be cleansed or purged. This is a compulsory process. The impure income consequently cleansed should be given as charity.

Indian stocks market is the fourth largest in terms of number of stocks listed and tenth largest in terms of market capitalization. There are more than 5000 companies listed on Bombay stock exchange (BSE) but on evaluation it was found that 3857 companies are actively traded. Pragmatic Wealth Management P.ltd under supervision of its Shariah committee (IIFB) screened for Shariah stocks. As on December 2019 out of 3857 companies 1126 companies are Shariah complaint, it roughly represent 29 percent of total traded stocks and in terms of market capitalization it is over 56 percent.