Introducing HAQQ: The Future of Islamic Finance

Islamic finance, a financial system deeply rooted in ethical principles and risk-sharing, is revolutionizing the financial ecosystem. With a volume exceeding $2.88 trillion in 2020 and projected to reach $3.69 trillion by 2024, the Islamic financial sector is experiencing significant growth driven by factors such as the expanding Muslim population and advancements in digital technologies.

HAQQ emerges as a pioneering network that combines blockchain technology with the time-honored principles of Islamic finance. By leveraging the transparency and security of the blockchain and integrating it with the ethical foundation of Islamic finance, HAQQ aims to revolutionize the financial ecosystem. In this blog post, we explore the transformative intersection of blockchain technology and Islamic finance through HAQQ. We investigate its potential as a remedy for the difficulties currently faced by the financial system while providing a comprehensive overview of its mission, core tenets, unique value proposition, and possible implications for the future of finance.

Uniting Tradition and Technology

Before delving into the innovative blend of blockchain technology and Islamic finance that HAQQ offers, let's take a brief look at what Islamic finance is, its historical background, and the principles that guide it.

The Rich History of Islamic Finance Islamic finance isn’t something new; it’s actually steeped in history, dating back over 1,400 years to the early days of Islam. The principles that govern Islamic finance are derived from the Quran, the sacred text of Islam, and the Sunnah, which comprises the practices of Prophet Muhammad. These sources emphasize ethical financial practices, social justice, transparency, and equitable distribution of wealth.

In the early Islamic era, Muslims established various financial tools to support trade and commerce, including contracts like Mudarabah (profit-sharing agreements) and Ijarah (leasing). These instruments, developed during the rapid expansion of the Islamic empire from the 7th to the 10th centuries, remain relevant and still widely used in modern Islamic finance.

Fast-forward to the present day, these age-old principles of Islamic finance are being applied to evaluate modern financial instruments, such as cryptocurrencies. In the context of determining whether a cryptocurrency is considered halal or permissible under Shariah law, the design and architecture of the coin play a crucial role. The function and construct of a cryptocurrency are what ultimately determine its compliance with Islamic principles. Certain use cases, such as payment or value storage, align more easily with Shariah-compliant standards. For instance, stablecoins, like USDC, can be viewed as asset-based financing, a fundamental principle of Islamic finance. These stablecoins are backed by real-world asset reserves, providing a tangible value foundation.

Core Principles and Ethics

Islamic finance operates on a set of core principles and ethics:

No Interest (Riba): Interest is a no-go in Islamic finance. The principle here is that money shouldn’t be able to generate more money through lending or borrowing.
Clarity Over Uncertainty (Gharar): Contracts and transactions should be clear and free from uncertainty or ambiguity.
Asset-Backed Financing: Financial transactions need to be backed by real assets or services. This approach focuses on actual economic value rather than speculative trading.
Risk Sharing: In Islamic finance, risks and profits are shared among the parties in a financial transaction, creating a sense of partnership and mutual responsibility.
Ethical Investing: Investments in activities considered harmful or unethical according to Islamic principles, such as alcohol and gambling, are prohibited.

Islamic Finance vs Conventional Finance

Islamic finance and conventional finance differ significantly, reflecting distinct priorities and values. While conventional finance primarily focuses on profitability and returns, often overlooking ethical considerations, Islamic finance incorporates a broader perspective that encompasses ethical values and community well-being.

One fundamental difference lies in the treatment of interest. Islamic finance strictly prohibits interest-based transactions, known as Riba, considering them exploitative and socially harmful. In contrast, conventional finance heavily relies on interest as a means of generating profits. Another distinguishing factor is the approach to risk. Islamic finance promotes the sharing of risks among parties involved in financial transactions, fostering a sense of partnership and collective responsibility. In conventional finance, the tendency is to transfer risks from one party to another, seeking to mitigate individual exposure.

These disparities highlight the contrasting philosophies and objectives underlying the two systems. Islamic finance emphasizes fairness, transparency, and sustainable economic growth, aligning financial activities with ethical principles and the well-being of society.

Understanding HAQQ

HAQQ is a pioneering blockchain platform that integrates Islamic finance principles into a state-of-the-art financial framework.

HAQQ, which translates to 'Truth' in Arabic, embodies its commitment to uphold Islamic views and traditions in finance through the Islamic Coin (ISLM), a Shariah-compliant digital currency built exclusively on this dedicated Islamic blockchain. Central to HAQQ's mission is the provision of a technologically advanced platform aligning with Shariah law, addressing the financial needs and values of the international Islamic community.

This transformative goal of promoting economic inclusivity, sustainability, and ethical financial practices is echoed in the unique tokenomics of “Century Coinomics” - a sustainable emission process with a finite supply spanning 100 years. Further reinforcing these principles, an Evergreen DAO, governed by the community, supports beneficial initiatives for the Islamic community, demonstrating HAQQ's unwavering commitment to its vision. As part of HAQQ's commitment to Islamic principles, a portion of each newly minted ISLM on the network, specifically 10%, is directed towards the Evergreen DAO. This decentralized autonomous organization plays a crucial role in allocating funds to support Islamic charities and online projects. By adhering to the principles of zakat, one of the pillars of Islam, HAQQ ensures that a meaningful contribution is made to charitable causes with each minted ISLM.

Key aspects of the HAQQ include:

Ethereum Compatibility: HAQQ is built to allow developers to employ the Ethereum codebase, fostering a versatile ecosystem.
Shariah Oracle: Within the Shariah Oracle, there are two levels of approval for smart contracts: Community approval, where ISLM stakers vote for the inclusion of contracts in the HAQQ Wallet Marketplace, and Shariah Board approval, which involves a scholarly review to grant a Shariah-compliant label, allowing users to interact with the contracts under the assurance of adherence to Islamic ethics and financial laws.
Enhanced Tokenomics and Governance: HAQQ introduces a unique tokenomics structure called “Century Coinomics”, enabling a sustainable emission process with a finite supply, echoing Islamic principles of fairness and sustainability. Evergreen DAO, governed by the community, supports initiatives beneficial to the Islamic community.
Community Participation: HAQQ holders actively participate in network consensus through a Proof-of-Stake mechanism, securing the network and earning rewards.
High Throughput with Instant Finality: HAQQ’s efficiency in processing large volumes of transactions rapidly is vital in meeting the dynamic needs of the global Muslim community.

What Sets HAQQ Apart?

HAQQ is built using Evmos, which utilizes the Cosmos SDK and Tendermint Core, inheriting Ethereum compatibility along with high throughput and instant finality. What this means for developers and users is an efficient and secure platform that can handle a high volume of transactions at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional Ethereum-based networks. Moreover, everything built on Ethereum or other EVM-compatible networks can be seamlessly deployed on HAQQ without rewriting any code. HAQQ’s compatibility with Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) allows for seamless communication with other IBC-compatible networks. This interoperability broadens the scope of assets and services and fosters a diverse and opportunistic ecosystem.

At the core of the HAQQ lies the Shariah Oracle, an on-chain mechanism integrated into the HAQQ Wallet. This innovative feature serves as a testament to HAQQ's commitment to ethical integrity. By whitelisting Shariah-compliant smart contracts, Oracle empowers users to effortlessly identify and engage with Halal-certified smart contracts, upholding Islamic principles and reflecting the values enshrined in the Quran.

The development of a Sharia-compliant cryptocurrency involves the collaboration of a team comprising experts in Islamic finance, technology, and Islamic scholars. Once the token is prepared for release, it undergoes a thorough review and certification process by a Shariah supervisory board. This board conducts a comprehensive examination of the coin’s features and design to ensure its adherence to Islamic principles. This certification is essential before Muslim investors can begin utilizing the cryptocurrency with confidence.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog posts, where we will delve deeper into the inner workings of the Shariah Oracle and also introduce the exciting new “mnemonicless” private key management feature, which is set to boost crypto and HAQQ adoption by providing a web2-like experience in the web3 world, along with providing a comprehensive understanding of its functionality and significance within the HAQQ ecosystem.

Concluding Thoughts

HAQQ Network represents a pioneering fusion of blockchain technology and Islamic finance. With its commitment to upholding Islamic principles and addressing the needs of the international Islamic community, HAQQ offers a technologically advanced platform aligned with Shariah law. Through its unique tokenomics, Ethereum compatibility, high throughput, shared fee mechanism, and Shariah Oracle, HAQQ aims to revolutionize the financial landscape by promoting sustainability, economic inclusivity, and ethical financial practices.

As HAQQ continues to evolve, it has the potential to be a catalyst for positive change, democratizing access to financial services and fostering innovation within the DeFi landscape. Moreover, by bridging the gap between traditional Islamic values and modern finance, it can serve as a beacon for the Muslim community, empowering them to participate in the global financial ecosystem without compromising their beliefs.

To stay updated on the latest developments and engage with the HAQQ community, follow us on Twitter and join the conversation on Discord. Developers interested in exploring HAQQ further can access the documentation at docs.haqq.network.