Yasaar

What Yasaar does

Yasaar is an independent, London-based advisory firm specializing in Shariah compliance services for Islamic finance. Founded in 1998 as the first independent Shariah advisory firm, Yasaar operates without affiliation to any financial institution or investment organization, positioning its independence as a core differentiator for unbiased Shariah opinions. The firm offers five core service lines: Shariah Compliance Certification, Shariah Advisory & Consultation, Shariah Auditing & Compliance Review, Shariah Coordination Services, and Shariah Research & Development Services, covering banking, insurance (Takaful), investment funds, and Sukuk (Islamic bonds). Its core technical competency is human-expert judgment rooted in Fiqh al-Muamalat (Islamic commercial jurisprudence), delivered by a team of qualified Shariah scholars fluent in Arabic and English, supported by a Shariah Supervisory Board with members from Malaysia, Bahrain, and other major Islamic finance jurisdictions.

The firm's revenue model is professional services-based, with all engagements priced on a custom quote basis tailored to client needs. It does not offer software products, recurring SaaS, or any technology platform. Its go-to-market is direct enterprise sales, with no public pricing or self-service channels. Distribution is via direct advisory engagement and a partnership ecosystem — most prominently a 2006 partnership with FTSE Russell that produced the FTSE Yasaar Global Shariah Index Series, plus relationships with Quilter Cheviot, IdealRatings, The Zeal, DDCAP Group, World of Takaful, VG, and UKIFC. Customer segments span financial institutions (primary), regulatory bodies, investors and fund managers, legal/accounting/auditing firms, rating agencies, and corporate entities from start-ups to multinationals, served globally from its London headquarters (legal entity: Yasaar Research Limited). The firm is founder-owned and led by Majid Siddique Dawood, with no external institutional investment.

Name

Yasaar

Legal name

Yasaar Limited

Website

http://www.yasaar.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Yasaar is a shariah compliance service and consultancy company.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Shariah Compliance Advisory

NAICS

Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services (54121), All Other Business Support Services (561499)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Shariah Governance, Compliance & Advisory (Shariah Boards, Audit, Fatwa) (FSABAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Islamic Corporate Banking (FSABAGAC), Islamic Investment Banking & Capital Markets Services (FSABAGAG), Islamic Private Banking & Wealth (FSABAGAD), Shariah-compliant Financing Products (Murabaha, Ijara, Tawarruq, Istisna, Salam) (FSABAGAH)

Keywords

• Shariah compliance advisory
• Islamic finance consultancy
• Shariah auditing services
• Islamic financial structuring
• Shariah certification services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bandar Seri Begawan

HQ country

Brunei

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Shariah Compliance Certification: Thorough Shariah compliance certification for financial products and services, including in-depth reviews, audits and approvals across banking, insurance, investment funds, and Sukuk.
2. Shariah Advisory & Consultation: Expert advisory and consultation services for businesses navigating Islamic finance, including structuring transactions, creating new products, and refining business processes.
3. Shariah Auditing & Compliance Review: Detailed Shariah audits and compliance reviews to ensure operations align with Islamic principles, providing clear insights and practical recommendations.
4. Shariah Coordination Services: Facilitating communication between Shariah boards, management teams, and regulators to ensure smooth implementation of Shariah guidelines.
5. Shariah Research and Development Services: In-depth research on financial trends, regulatory changes, and Islamic jurisprudence to develop Shariah-compliant solutions, including designing new financial products and refining governance frameworks.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Yasaar is an independent London-based advisory firm providing expert Shariah compliance services and consultancy to financial institutions worldwide. The firm offers five core service lines: Shariah Compliance Certification, Shariah Advisory & Consultation, Shariah Auditing & Compliance Review, Shariah Coordination Services, and Shariah Research and Development Services. Services span banking, insurance, investment funds, and Sukuk structures, delivered by qualified Shariah scholars fluent in Arabic and English.

Product overview

Yasaar is an independent advisory firm providing expert Shariah compliance services and consultancy. The company operates as a consultancy rather than a software product company, offering five distinct but complementary service lines: Shariah Compliance Certification, Shariah Advisory & Consultation, Shariah Auditing & Compliance Review, Shariah Coordination Services, and Shariah Research and Development Services. These services work together to provide end-to-end Shariah compliance support to financial institutions worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shariah Compliance Certification Thorough Shariah compliance certification for financial products and services, including in-depth reviews, audits, and approvals across banking, insurance, investment funds, and Sukuk. Targeted at financial institutions requiring independent certification that products meet Islamic law.
• Shariah Advisory & Consultation Expert advisory and consultation services to help businesses navigate Islamic finance and develop Shariah-compliant solutions, including transaction structuring, new product creation, and refining business processes. For financial institutions, corporations, and professional services firms.
• Shariah Auditing & Compliance Review Detailed Shariah audits and compliance reviews to ensure operations align with Islamic principles, providing insights and practical recommendations for governance and ethical integrity. For financial institutions and corporate entities needing ongoing compliance assurance.
• Shariah Coordination Services Facilitates communication between Shariah boards, management teams, and regulators to ensure smooth implementation of Shariah guidelines and alignment of business strategies with Islamic law. For institutions managing multi-stakeholder Shariah governance.
• Shariah Research and Development Services In-depth research on financial trends, regulatory changes, and Islamic jurisprudence to develop Shariah-compliant solutions, including designing new financial products and refining governance frameworks. For institutions seeking thought leadership and product innovation in Islamic finance.

Quantifiable outcome

• FTSE Yasaar Global Shariah Index Series developed with FTSE Russell since 2006, offering comprehensive benchmarks for Islamic investors globally

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• FTSE RussellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006The partnership between FTSE and Yasaar brings together FTSE's global expertise in creating financial benchmarks and indices and Yasaar's deep knowledge of Shariah-compliant finance. Together, they developed the FTSE Yasaar Global Shariah Index Series, offering comprehensive benchmarks tailored for Islamic investors. The collaboration ensures each index adheres strictly to Shariah principles while maintaining market relevance.
• The ZealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Zeal provides capital market data services with Shariah-compliant investment screening. Yasaar works in partnership with The Zeal in their screening methodology, engaged in providing services to their clients. The Zeal screens each stock using the world's most acceptable methodologies of Shariah-compliant screening standards.
• Quilter CheviotcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerQuilter Cheviot is one of the largest discretionary investment management firms across the UK, Ireland, and Channel Islands. Yasaar and Quilter Cheviot work in partnership to provide a Shariah-Compliant investment solution as part of their flagship Discretionary Portfolio Service.
• IdealRatingssupportingTechnology or IntegrationIdealRatings is a leading financial data and technology provider offering responsible investment solutions. Yasaar partners with IdealRatings to provide comprehensive Shariah compliance data and screening services.
• World of TakafulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld of Takaful is a premier platform delivering insights, research, and news about the global Takaful industry. The partnership between World of Takaful and Yasaar focuses on advancing Shariah-compliant insurance (Takaful) solutions globally, combining their expertise to ensure Takaful offerings meet strict Islamic guidelines.
• DDCAP GroupsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeadquartered in London, DDCAP Group is a market intermediary and technology solutions provider connecting the global Islamic financial market. DDCAP works with Yasaar whenever the need arises for their Shariah expertise, providing asset facilitation services and technology solutions.
• VGsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerVG is a leading provider of fund administration, corporate and private wealth solutions in Jersey. Recognised for award-winning expertise in Islamic Finance, VG continues to work with Yasaar to serve clients requiring Shariah compliance services.
• Global Relief TrustminorOthersGlobal Relief Trust is a leading Muslim charity based in the United Kingdom, working across the globe. Yasaar partners with Global Relief Trust to support charitable initiatives.
• UKIFC (Islamic Finance Council UK)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerYasaar and the Islamic Finance Council UK (UKIFC) share a commitment to advancing the integration of sustainability within the Islamic finance sector.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shariyah Review Bureau (SRB): Independent Shariah advisory and audit firm headquartered in the UAE, offering Shariah certification, audit, and product structuring across banking, insurance, and capital markets — directly comparable independent niche player to Yasaar.
• Dar Al Sharia: Shariah advisory and consultancy firm providing Shariah reviews, product structuring, and training for Islamic financial institutions, operating as a close direct competitor to Yasaar in independent Shariah advisory services.
• Shura Sharia Advisory: Independent Shariah advisory firm providing Shariah governance, certification, and product development services to Islamic banks and financial institutions across multiple jurisdictions.

Broad incumbents

• KPMG Islamic Finance: Big 4 advisory practice offering end-to-end Islamic finance services including Shariah advisory, tax, audit, and consulting as part of a broader global professional services portfolio — competes for the same institutional Shariah mandates as Yasaar.
• Deloitte Islamic Finance: Big 4 firm with established Islamic finance advisory and audit practice, including Shariah advisory services bundled with broader consulting — an incumbent competing for the same financial institution clients as Yasaar.
• Refinitiv Islamic Finance (LSEG): Global data and index provider offering Islamic finance data, Shariah screening tools, and indices — a broader incumbent competing with the FTSE Yasaar index series in benchmark and screening services.

Emerging players

• IdealRatings: Responsible investment data and technology provider offering Shariah screening, ESG, and compliance solutions — an actual partner of Yasaar but also an emerging competitor in Shariah-compliant investment screening infrastructure.

Others

• AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions): Standards-setting body that issues Shariah standards for the Islamic finance industry — not a direct competitor but a key ecosystem participant whose standards influence Yasaar's service offerings and client requirements.
• DDCAP Group: London-based market intermediary and technology provider for Islamic finance that engages Yasaar for Shariah expertise — adjacent ecosystem participant and strategic partner rather than direct competitor.

Regional players

• Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority-style compliance firms (e.g., Shari'a Board Specialists): Islamic Development Bank and affiliated Shariah governance bodies operating in member countries — relevant regional and multilateral players engaging Shariah advisory work that Yasaar's team members serve through board appointments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yasaar

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yasaar