Chief Shariah Officer (former), Shariah Capital
Sheikh Yusuf Talal DeLorenzo
AAOIFI · Dow Jones Islamic Market Index
American Islamic finance scholar who helped design the Shariah screening methodology behind the Dow Jones Islamic Market Index. Authored AAOIFI standards on stock screening and structured the first Shariah-compliant US equity funds.
Areas of expertise
Notable work
- A Compendium of Legal Opinions on the Operation of Islamic Banks
- Dow Jones Islamic Market Index screening methodology (1999)
Cited in these rulings
Is using leverage in trading halal?
Leverage itself is disputed. Some scholars permit it when it does not involve interest. Others treat broker-funded leverage as a riba-bearing loan in disguise. Most agree that excessive leverage crosses into maysir (gambling).
Is buying stocks halal?
Buying shares in publicly listed companies is permissible when the company's business activity is halal and its financial ratios (debt, interest income, illiquid assets) pass standard shariah screens.
Are stock dividends halal?
Dividends from a shariah-screened company are permissible. The portion of dividend income attributable to the company's incidental interest earnings must be purified by donating it to charity without expectation of reward.