Wahed Invest. You’ve probably heard the name buzzing around, especially if you’re looking for a way to invest your money in a Sharia-compliant and ethical manner. At its core, Wahed functions as a robo-advisor platform, enabling users to invest in a diverse array of assets, including stocks and sukuks (Islamic bonds), all while adhering strictly to Islamic finance principles. It essentially acts as a supportive investment tool. It guides users through the process. It manages their investments on their behalf.

Taking the First Step: A Moderately Conservative Approach

I had always been intrigued by investing. However, I felt overwhelmed by its complexities. Wahed presented itself as a refreshing alternative. The emphasis on ethical investing deeply resonated with me, and the platform’s user-friendly interface was a significant advantage. Consequently, on December 6th, I took the initial step and deposited 100 euros into a Moderately Conservative portfolio. I chose a moderately conservative approach because I am a novice investor. I wanted to gradually enter the investment landscape without exposing myself to excessive risk. This portfolio type offered a balanced perspective. It allowed me to observe the performance of my investments over time. I could do this without the anxiety associated with substantial market fluctuations.

Observing the Platform in Action: Transparency and Ease of Use

Given my modest initial investment and conservative strategy, the returns thus far haven’t been dramatic. However, my primary objective at this stage was not to achieve significant gains but rather to witness the platform in operation. I was particularly interested in understanding how Wahed allocated my funds, the level of transparency in its reporting, and whether its functionality aligned with its descriptions. In these aspects, Wahed has proven to be quite impressive. The application boasts an intuitive design, providing clear and concise breakdowns of my holdings and their respective performance. Its ease of navigation and comprehension is noteworthy, especially for individuals with limited prior investment knowledge. This is where Wahed truly distinguishes itself, demystifying the investment process and making it accessible to those who might otherwise feel intimidated by the world of finance. This robo-advisor effectively acts as a helpful guide, eliminating much of the guesswork typically associated with portfolio management.

PS. you can also check out this Wahed review

Appreciating the Flexibility and Peace of Mind

Another feature of Wahed that I find particularly valuable is its inherent flexibility. The knowledge that I can access my funds if an unforeseen financial need arises provides a significant sense of security. While my intention is not to engage in frequent withdrawals and deposits, the mere availability of this option offers considerable peace of mind as I embark on my investment journey.

A Positive First Step on the Investment Journey

Therefore, is Wahed the ultimate key to rapid wealth accumulation? Probably not, especially with a relatively small initial investment. However, for individuals seeking an ethical and user-friendly gateway into the world of investing, particularly those who are new to the process, Wahed is undoubtedly a platform worth serious consideration. It establishes a solid foundation, manages your portfolio in accordance with your individual risk tolerance, and provides a level of transparency that fosters trust. For me, my experience with Wahed has represented a positive initial step into the realm of investing, and I am genuinely interested to observe the evolution of my portfolio over the course of time.

What Can I invest in?

Wahed Invest allows you to invest in a selection of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and a mutual fund that adhere to Sharia principles. These funds invest in various asset classes:  

• Global Equities:
  • iShares MSCI World Islamic UCITS ETF USD (Dist): Tracks Sharia-compliant stocks in developed countries globally. It invests across various sectors, follows Islamic principles, pays dividends twice a year, has a 0.30% annual fee, and was around USD 45.20 on April 16, 2025.
  • HSBC Islamic Global Equity Index GBP IC: Aims for long-term growth by investing in a diverse mix of Sharia-compliant global stocks, replicating a specific index. It holds shares proportionally to the index. The annual fee is 0.52%, and its value was around GBP 14.74 on April 16, 2025.
• Emerging Markets Equities:
  • iShares MSCI EM Islamic UCITS ETF USD (Dist): Tracks Sharia-compliant stocks in developing countries, offering exposure to their growth while following Islamic finance rules. It pays dividends twice a year, has a 0.35% annual fee, and was around USD 17.65 on April 11, 2025.  
• Sukuk (Islamic Bonds):
  • Franklin Global Sukuk Fund W(Qdis): This fund aims to maximize total investment return through a combination of profit income and capital appreciation by investing in global Sukuk. Sukuk are Islamic bonds that comply with Sharia law, often structured to represent ownership in an asset rather than interest-bearing debt. The ongoing charge is 0.90%, and it distributes income quarterly. As of April 11, 2025, the price was approximately USD 8.34.  
• Gold:
  • ETFS Physical Gold (GBP): Offers easy, low-cost access to gold prices, minus a management fee. It’s backed by physical gold. For example, WisdomTree Physical Gold (GBP) has a 0.39% annual fee and cost around GBX 23188.50 on April 18, 2025. iShares Physical Gold ETC (GBP) has a 0.12% fee and cost about GBX 4832.00 on April 17, 2025.

It’s important to remember that these are the underlying instruments Wahed Invest utilizes to build your portfolio based on your chosen risk profile. Wahed handles the allocation and management of these investments for you.