{"id":1027,"date":"2023-03-30T10:10:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T10:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-1197097-5857112.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=1027"},"modified":"2026-06-16T18:22:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-16T18:22:57","slug":"doctor-search-for-halal-home-finance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/news\/knowledge\/doctor-search-for-halal-home-finance\/","title":{"rendered":"One doctor&#8217;s 10 year journey to find the ideal Halal Home Finance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Faisal Shaikh was somewhat of an expert on mortgages when it came to taking the plunge and buying his <a href=\"https:\/\/strideup.co\/first-time-buyer\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"478\">first home<\/a>. After some 15 years renting, he both knew the area he wanted to live and had researched home finance strategies on a regular basis to keep on top of the products that suited his needs. In the end, the driving force behind his home purchase was a sense of security for his growing family. He explains:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center stretched\"><strong>\u201cI\u2019d been wanting to buy a house for quite a long time. There were many reasons why we wanted to buy: for financial stability; an investment of sorts; but the most important reason was the arrival of the children. We really wanted to settle down and have a place of our own and not have to worry about the uncertainty of landlords.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<section class=\"table_of_contents\">\n    <h5>Table of contents<\/h5>\n    <ul>\n        <li><a href=\"#section1\">What we heard at MTF 2025<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"#section2\">The data confirms it: Our community is underserved<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"#section3\">StrideUp&#8217;s model resonated deeply<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"#section4\">More than a moment &#8211; a movement<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"#section5\">The data confirms it: Our community is underserved<\/a><\/li>\n        <li><a href=\"#section6\">So, what\u2019s next?<\/a><\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Finding the perfect hom<\/strong>e<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From their time renting, the Shaikh family had a pretty clear idea of their dream home. Town-life had been too chaotic while country-living was too quiet. Also, crucially they needed access to a mosque. So their search centered on the outskirts of Oxford where the family would benefit from proximity to the town while being out of the hustle and bustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With two small boys Dr. Shaikh wanted a garden where they could run around and where he could teach them the basics of composting, potting and gardening. They wanted a three-bedroom house and to have parking out front after a tricky period in rental accommodation where they were forced to string the charging cables of their electric car across the footpath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a short search, they found a home that worked for them. Now they just needed the finance that met their requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center stretched\"><strong>Dr. Shaikh says, &#8220;every two years I\u2019d research the halal mortgage market and that\u2019s something that I\u2019ve been doing for 10-15 years. Last year StrideUp came up in search for the first time.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His goal was to find a <a href=\"https:\/\/strideup.co\/home-finance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"221\">home finance provider<\/a> that balanced shariah compliant products with practicality and a customer-focused approach. The Home Purchase Plan route was one he was familiar with so he set up a call with a StrideUp advisor. He says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center stretched\"><strong>\u201cI drilled the first person I spoke to about shariah compliance and she satisfied my concerns about what I was buying into\u2026I can\u2019t fault the StrideUp team in terms of their sincerity and their sheer compassion. You can tell that they really care.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/strideup.co\/home-finance\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"221\">halal home finance<\/a> from StrideUp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"custom_video custom_image wp-block-video w-full h-auto tabland:rounded-[32px] relative overflow-hidden\">\n    <div class=\"image w-full h-full max-h-[600px] tabland:rounded-[32px] overflow-hidden object-cover relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full h-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/646210120f002eb8fb8564a8_Screenshot_2023_03_29_125905_3f3a6f3de4.png\" alt=\"StrideUp's Home Purchase Plans have the right balance between ethical principles and shariah compliance.\">\n    <\/div>\n    <figcaption>StrideUp&#8217;s Home Purchase Plans have the right balance between ethical principles and shariah compliance.<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Halal home finance that\u2019s catered to today\u2019s home buyer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Shaikh found StrideUp\u2019s Home Purchase Plans more flexible than other Shariah compliant home financing options that he had researched. He says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center stretched\"><strong>\u201cThe good thing about StrideUp was that it seemed to have a fairly good balance between the ethical principles of shariah compliance and a practical organisation.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Competitor products had restrictions around the share of ownership and buy-out options that didn\u2019t suit his needs. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot more <a href=\"https:\/\/strideup.co\/home-purchase-plan-eligibility\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1818\">flexibility with StrideUp<\/a> to how much you put in. You can choose the buyout share and the equity share so that you don\u2019t get caught out 10-15 years down the line.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"custom_video custom_image wp-block-video w-full h-auto tabland:rounded-[32px] relative overflow-hidden\">\n    <div class=\"image w-full h-full max-h-[600px] tabland:rounded-[32px] overflow-hidden object-cover relative\">\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-full h-auto\" src=\"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/64621047a64b0e487fcddcf7_Screenshot_2023_03_29_125312_3bea26c6e7.png\" alt=\"After a decade of research, the family found a home - and home finance provider - that met their needs.\">\n    <\/div>\n    <figcaption>After a decade of research, the family found a home &#8211; and home finance provider &#8211; that met their needs.<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Relief over elation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With home and finance arrangements in place, the Shaikh family secured their Oxford home, spent a week making alterations and moved in. After their extended period renting, waiting for the right time, property and finance, Dr. Shaikh and his wife felt more relief than elation on moving in. He says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center stretched\"><strong>\u201cThere was a prevailing sense of calm which is something that we both cherish. We talk still about how much calmer we are, how less stressed we are and how happier the kids look in general. When your little ones explore a new area and as they get used to it, there\u2019s a very happy, content feeling.\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They\u2019ve wasted no time introducing themselves to the neighbours, visiting and gifting traditional sweets. They\u2019re looking forward to Spring when they can get out and explore the area more and make greater use of their shed and garden. Dr. Shaikh concludes <strong>\u201cWhat you\u2019re doing is a good thing for the community\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"special_separator flex justify-center my-8 middletab:my-14\">\n    <svg width=\"62\" height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 62 12\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n        <path d=\"M15.5 7.45938C15.5 3.30547 12.0854 -0.0560486 7.89524 0.000708303C3.98534 0.0537023 0.730931 3.14742 0.512121 7.03041C0.41249 8.7974 0.932401 10.4402 1.8748 11.7644C2.06429 12.0304 2.442 12.0793 2.69297 11.8695L7.19939 8.10879L7.20286 8.10691C7.41915 7.92692 7.69787 7.81874 8.0018 7.81874C8.30574 7.81874 8.59171 7.92974 8.80926 8.11381L8.81273 8.11569L13.3084 11.8673C13.5597 12.0771 13.9377 12.0275 14.1272 11.7613C14.9918 10.5456 15.5 9.06143 15.5 7.45907V7.45938Z\" fill=\"#627C84\"\/>\n        <path d=\"M38.5 7.45938C38.5 3.30547 35.0854 -0.0560486 30.8952 0.000708303C26.9853 0.0537023 23.7309 3.14742 23.5121 7.03041C23.4125 8.7974 23.9324 10.4402 24.8748 11.7644C25.0643 12.0304 25.442 12.0793 25.693 11.8695L30.1994 8.10879L30.2029 8.10691C30.4191 7.92692 30.6979 7.81874 31.0018 7.81874C31.3057 7.81874 31.5917 7.92974 31.8093 8.11381L31.8127 8.11569L36.3084 11.8673C36.5597 12.0771 36.9377 12.0275 37.1272 11.7613C37.9918 10.5456 38.5 9.06143 38.5 7.45907V7.45938Z\" fill=\"#627C84\"\/>\n        <path d=\"M61.5 7.45938C61.5 3.30547 58.0854 -0.0560486 53.8952 0.000708303C49.9853 0.0537023 46.7309 3.14742 46.5121 7.03041C46.4125 8.7974 46.9324 10.4402 47.8748 11.7644C48.0643 12.0304 48.442 12.0793 48.693 11.8695L53.1994 8.10879L53.2029 8.10691C53.4191 7.92692 53.6979 7.81874 54.0018 7.81874C54.3057 7.81874 54.5917 7.92974 54.8093 8.11381L54.8127 8.11569L59.3084 11.8673C59.5597 12.0771 59.9377 12.0275 60.1272 11.7613C60.9918 10.5456 61.5 9.06143 61.5 7.45907V7.45938Z\" fill=\"#627C84\"\/>\n    <\/svg>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Looking for practical Halal home finance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"buttons flex flex-wrap items-center gap-6 mt-10 mb-14\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.strideup.co\/\" class=\"btn\">Get started now<\/a>\n    \n            <a href=\"https:\/\/strideup.co\/home-finance\/\" class=\"btn regular_btn\">Home Purchase Plans<\/a>\n    \n    <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"disclaimer my-8 tabland:my-14\">\n    <div class=\"desc font-lexend text-xs text-[#6A6A6C] leading-tight font-feature-on slightly-tight-letters-paragraph\"><p>YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP THE PAYMENTS ON YOUR PURCHASE PLAN.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"blog_cta rounded-[24px] tabland:rounded-[32px] my-8 tabland:my-14 py-8 tabland:py-12 px-6 tabland:px-5 text-center\" style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4;\">\n    <h2 class=\"font-ttnormspro slightly-tight-letters-title text-3xl font-extrabold mb-4\" style=\"color: #20272D;\">Stay in the loop.<\/h2>\n    <div class=\"desc font-lexend text-sm text-[#6A6A6C] mb-8 leading-normal font-feature-on tight-letters-paragraph\">Join our newsletter for exclusive updates and insights you won\u2019t want to miss.<\/div>\n            <a href=\"#subscription_form\" class=\"btn w-fit mx-auto\">\n            <div class=\"text\">\n                Subscribe            <\/div>\n        <\/a>\n    <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Faisal Shaikh wanted to finding practical home finance that aligned with his religious beliefs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1028,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[53,80,58,74,81,79],"post_author":[50],"class_list":["post-1027","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-knowledge","tag-halal-mortgage","tag-halal-mortgage-alternative","tag-islamic-mortgage","tag-sharia-compliant-mortgage","tag-shariah-compliant-mortgage-2","tag-shariah-mortgage-alternative","post_author-team-strideup"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1027","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1027"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1027\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3932,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1027\/revisions\/3932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1028"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1027"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1027"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1027"},{"taxonomy":"post_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/strideup.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_author?post=1027"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}