Are halal mortgages more expensive?

Asked by: Justine Harris  |  Last update: October 11, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (46 votes)

Yes, halal mortgages (also known as Sharia-compliant home purchase plans) are generally more expensive than conventional mortgages. While becoming more competitively priced, they often feature higher fees, higher deposit requirements (often 20%+), and higher, less flexible monthly payments.

What fees are involved in a halal mortgage?

Are there any fees associated with Halal mortgages? While Halal mortgages avoid interest, certain fees, such as service and administrative fees, may apply.

What is the difference between halal mortgage and conventional mortgage?

Halal vs Interest Mortgage

At the heart of the Islamic mortgage model is the prohibition of interest (riba), which is considered haram (forbidden) under Islamic law. Conventional mortgages, on the other hand, are built on interest payments.

What are the problems with Islamic mortgages?

Higher costs: Due to additional legal and administrative steps, fees can be higher compared to conventional mortgages. Limited availability: Not all banks offer Islamic mortgage products, making them harder to access in some regions.

What are the benefits of a halal mortgage?

By avoiding speculative transactions and focusing on asset-backed financing, halal mortgages provide a transparent and ethical way for Muslim homebuyers to finance their homes. This approach not only complies with Islamic law but also promotes financial stability and fairness throughout the home financing process.

My Experience Of Buying A House With An Islamic Mortgage in 2025 (And How You Can Get A Cheaper One)

45 related questions found

Do you pay interest on a halal mortgage?

Islamic mortgages are mortgages that are compliant with Sharia law. Also known as 'halal mortgages', they differ from traditional home loans in that you don't pay interest as this is forbidden under Sharia law. Making money from money goes against Islamic finance beliefs.

How do Muslims buy houses in the USA?

Generally, Islamic finance buys a house based on the preference of a home buyer and sells the house to the home buyer with a profit. It is different from a traditional loan, where the bank only gives money to the buyer and asks for a return of funds with interest.

Are Islamic banks cheaper?

Mainstream banks often come out anywhere between 25% and 30% cheaper than Islamic banks when it comes to mortgages. Islamic mortgages require the home buyer to put down a larger deposit amount when purchasing the home and monthly repayments are likely to be more money than the average.

Are Muslims exempt from paying interest?

Islamic rules forbid earning interest from savings and charging interest on loans and mortgages. Under Islam, being in debt is not encouraged.

How many Muslims have a mortgage?

Of the 2.6 million adult Muslims living in the UK, 49% are homeowners and 4 in 5 of these homeowners have a home finance product.

Do Muslims pay interest on home loans?

When it comes to the question of whether Muslims pay interest on mortgages, the answer is a clear no. The concept of Riba (interest) is not permitted in Islam, so conventional loans aren't an option. Instead, we offer a completely different way to buy a home that's built on partnership, not debt.

Are halal mortgages hard to get?

For buy-to-let mortgages that are halal, Muslims often use a Murabaha or Iljara, which are slightly harder to come by, but certainly available from some UK providers of Sharia compliant mortgages.

What are the three types of Islamic mortgages?

Three main types exist: Ijara (leasing), Diminishing Musharaka (shared ownership), and Murabaha (resale financing).

Who is the best Islamic financing in the USA?

Why Work with UIF? Voted #1 Nine Years in a Row! Voted as the #1 Islamic Financing Institution in the U.S. from 2015 through 2019, & as the #1 Islamic Real Estate Financier (Global Award) in 2020-2022-2023!

What is the 5% deposit for Islamic mortgage?

Islamic finance providers require at least 5% of the property price to be held as genuine savings. For example, if you're buying a property for $800,000, you'll need to show $40,000 in genuine savings.

How is profit calculated in a halal mortgage?

Types of halal mortgages

The amount of profit is based on a number of factors including your risk profile, credit history, deposit amount, the property value, and repayment term. Instead of owning the property as an individual, you hold the property title within a corporation that you set up for this purpose.

What are the 7 major sins in Islam?

The 7 major sins in Islam, often called the "seven great destructive sins," are derived from a Hadith and include: associating partners with Allah (Shirk), practicing magic, unjustly killing a soul, consuming usury (riba), eating an orphan's wealth, fleeing from battle, and slandering chaste, believing women. Avoiding these sins requires sincere repentance and turning to Allah. 

Can I get a 0% interest loan?

Yes, you can get a 0% interest loan, commonly found as promotional offers for cars, furniture, or credit cards, but they usually have strict terms like a high credit score requirement and a limited time period, with high retroactive interest or fees if you miss payments or don't pay in full by the deadline. True 0% APR loans are different from "deferred interest" offers where all accrued interest is charged if the balance isn't cleared by the end of the promo. Always read the fine print for details on fees, timelines, and what happens if you're late.

What is a Sharia mortgage?

Islamic mortgages are Sharia-compliant home purchase plans to help you buy your home in a way that doesn't involve paying interest.

What credit score is needed for an Islamic mortgage?

You will need a credit score of a minimum of 620 to get approved by Devon Islamic. Your DTI (debit to income ratio) cannot be more than 45%. Debt to Income Ratio (as defined by Investopedia) is a personal finance measure that compares the amount of debt you have to your overall income.

What are the disadvantages of Islamic banking?

Islamic finance institutions have extra compliance increasing issue / transaction costs. Banks need to know more than usual so more due diligence work is required. Some Islamic products may not be compatible with international financial regulation.

How do Muslims get interest free loans?

An interest-free alternative to traditional loans

Our Halal Loans adhere to the principles of Sharia Law. Instead of interest, borrowers pay an origination fee set based on the amount borrowed. The fee is subtracted from the amount of the loan.

Where do most Muslims live in America?

Major urban centers, especially in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.

Can Muslims have credit?

If the cardholder intends to repay the borrowed amount before the due date to avoid interest, this is permissible. However, if someone has no intention of paying off the loan on time, they are at risk of committing a sin by engaging in interest-based transactions.

What country houses the most Muslims?

Key Takeaways. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in any single country at 242 million—roughly 87% of its citizens.