# Ayan

> Ayan (Ayan Capital Ltd) is a UK-based Islamic fintech company offering Shariah-compliant (halal) car finance using the Ijara wa Iqtina (lease-to-own) structure — no interest (riba), no penalties, no hidden fees. Open to everyone regardless of faith.

Ayan was founded by the team behind Alif Bank, Tajikistan's first Islamic bank. The founders bring experience from UBS (investment banking), Oliver Wyman (consulting), Oxford's Saïd Business School, and LSE. The company addresses a £700 billion Islamic finance gap in the UK, where UK Islamic banks hold just 0.1% of assets despite a 7% Muslim population, and where 5x more Muslims are unbanked compared to the general population.

The UK entity is:
- **Ayan Capital Ltd** — FCA authorised and regulated (FRN: 1022208), Company No. 15123809, registered at 20 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU. ICO: ZB613240.
- **Ayan Capital 1 Ltd** — FCA registered as Annex 1 financial institution for AML purposes only (FRN: 1021505), Company No. 15996246. ICO: ZB871398. All services unregulated.

Shariah certification: Audited by Alhamd Advisory (led by Mufti Ibrahim Essa, Faculty Member at Darul Uloom Karachi, trained under Mufti Taqi Usmani, holds AAOIFI certification) against AAOIFI standards. Alhamd also advises Lloyd's of London, UBL Pakistan, Hayot Bank (Uzbekistan), and EFU Insurance.

Social: Twitter/X: @ayancapital | Instagram: @ayan.capital | LinkedIn: ayancapital | Facebook: ayancapital

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## Homepage (https://www.ayan.co.uk/)

Ayan introduces halal car finance to the UK. The tagline is "Shariah-compliant car finance — open to anyone to apply (subject to status)." Key proposition: no interest is paid — customers pay an agreed rental-profit charge. Rates from 7.9% APR-equivalent; Representative APR-equivalent 10.9%.

How it works (4 steps):
1. Apply online (2 minutes), get a quick decision, view personalised plan with clear terms
2. Tell Ayan the chosen car; a full vehicle report is provided
3. Provide the dealer's bank details securely; Ayan pays the dealership directly
4. Collect the car and drive

Islamic finance model summary on homepage:
- Ayan remains owner during the lease period
- Customer makes monthly payments throughout the lease term
- Each payment covers: rent for using the vehicle (Ayan's revenue) + customer's path to ownership
- At end of lease, ownership transfers to customer via a separate Sale & Transfer agreement — nothing left to pay if Ijara obligations are met

Trust signals: 50,000+ applicants; 12 years' experience in Islamic finance; 10 million+ customers trust Alif (built by Ayan's founders).

Calculator: Car price range £5,000–£100,000; deposit 5–90%; terms 1–5 years; credit scores: excellent/good/fair/poor.

FAQs on homepage:
- How does Halal car finance work? → Ijara wa Iqtina structure, no riba, no gharar, asset-based
- Can non-Muslims apply? → Yes, open to everyone
- Available across the UK? → England, Scotland, Wales (not Northern Ireland)
- Does Ayan hold stock? → No; choose from 8,000+ dealerships
- Is Ayan Shariah-compliant? → Yes, audited by Alhamd Advisory against AAOIFI
- Is Ijara wa Iqtina just hire purchase? → Yes, recognised as HP under UK law, but Shariah-compliant version
- Credit score impact? → Soft check at application (no impact); hard check only on signing
- How quickly can I get a car? → Same day possible once approved; dealer receipt confirmation recommended
- Does monthly payment include insurance? → No; arrange own comprehensive cover; warranty optional
- Why link bank account? → Open Banking for affordability checks (read-only, no stored credentials)
- Can I make lump-sum / early payments? → Yes, no penalties; pay less rental charges overall

Physical location: 4th Floor, 1 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, London W2 6BD. Open 8AM–5PM every day. Phone/WhatsApp: +44 20 3802 0292. Email: support@ayancapital.co.uk.

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## About Us (https://www.ayan.co.uk/about-us)

Mission: "Finance the future you believe in" — building the future of Islamic fintech.

Headline stats:
- £30m raised in equity and debt
- £700B+ Islamic finance gap addressed in the UK
- $3B+ backed by founders of $3B+ fintech ecosystem

Market context:
- UK Islamic banks hold just 0.1% of assets despite a 7% Muslim population
- 4.4M UK gig workers underserved
- 66% of UK adults don't trust traditional banks
- 81% of Muslims seek Sharia-compliant options
- Muslims are 5x more likely to be unbanked in the UK

Company roadmap:
- **Today (2024)**: Values-driven car financing for sole traders and SMEs for business purposes
- **In 2 years (2025–2026)**: Consumer finance platform, applying for banking licence
- **In 5 years (2027+)**: Leading values-driven banking ecosystem, global expansion

Current product features:
- Any dealer, any vehicle — new or used, eco-friendly options
- 100% Sharia-compliant, no hidden fees
- Dedicated car matchmaker and buyout helper
- Business vehicle in 2 days, fair interest-free weekly payments with ownership
- AI-powered credit decisions (coming soon), all-digital application
- Can finance insurance premiums (Ayan as policyholder)
- No-Claims Bonus accumulates for the customer

Traction:
- 2024: 40% month-on-month revenue growth; 5/5 Google, 4.9/5 Trustpilot; beta-tested AyanPay (BNPL, 12 months 0% for home improvement and car repair)
- 2025: FCA consumer authorisation; banking cards with flexible payment options
- 2026: Integrated consumer loans for SMEs, shopping, remittances, investments
- 2027: Banking licence (UK) + global expansion via partner banks

**Founders & Leadership:**

| Name | Role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Abdullo Kurbanov | CEO, Co-founder | Ex-CEO/co-founder of Alif Bank; co-founder Somon.tj (3M+ users); Ex-VP Mining Investments, Origo Partners; Investment banking analyst, UBS; Consultant, Oliver Wyman; MSc Finance (Distinction), LSE |
| Zarrina Rajabova | CIO | Ex-CIO of Alif Bank; Ex-CEO Alif Academy (2,700+ graduates); BA, Technological University of Tajikistan |
| Furkat Suvhanov | COO | Ex-investment manager, Jefferson Capital UK (portfolio, AML, KYC); Ex-CEO/co-founder Spartan Real Estate Cyprus; MBA, Saïd Business School, Oxford |

**Team:**
- Ehatasham Kabir — Compliance and Operational Excellence Lead (7+ years in customer relations at top aviation firms and Premier League club)
- Komyor Ahmarzoda — Project Manager (developed CRM, BNPL, quality control platforms at Alif Bank)
- Akbar Ahrorov — Full Stack Developer (Golang, JavaScript, SQL)
- Shehrez Riaz — Growth & Marketing Coordinator

Global ecosystem credibility (Alif):
- Over $3B annual turnover in Alif ecosystem
- 3M+ customers served across Central Asia and UK

Press coverage: Yahoo Finance, FT Adviser, TradingView/Reuters, Bloomberg Tax, London Daily News, Zawya, Financial IT, FF News, Finextra, Fintech Global, AM Online, Salaam Gateway, Business Motoring, Motor Trade News, London Loves Business, IBS Intelligence, Motor Finance Online, Islamic Finance News, BusinessCloud.

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## Shariah Compliance (https://www.ayan.co.uk/shariah-compliance)

Ayan's model is certified by **Alhamd Shariah Advisory**. The Quran principle underpinning it: *"Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest"* (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:275).

**Key features of Sharia-compliant model:**
- No riba (interest): no interest charged on payments
- No penalties: no fees for late payments, no hidden fees
- No gharar (uncertainty): all terms clear and upfront
- Asset-backed financing: payments tied to a real asset (the vehicle)

**Ijara wa Iqtina model explained:**
- "Ijara" = leasing; "Iqtina" = acquisition
- Ayan owns the vehicle throughout the agreement
- Customer pays rent monthly; rent portion = Ayan's profit; purchase portion = builds path to ownership
- Ownership transfers at end via a separate Sale & Transfer agreement — nothing left to pay if obligations met
- Think of it as a "balance scale": each payment shifts balance toward the customer; at the end the scale tips fully in the customer's favour
- Early settlement always possible; future rent eliminated; overall cost reduces accordingly

**FAQs (Shariah):**
- Murabaha vs Ijara wa Iqtina: Murabaha is a cost-plus sale where customer owns the car from day 1; Ijara wa Iqtina is lease-to-own where Ayan owns during term. Ayan uses Ijara wa Iqtina as it's more customer-friendly and early settlement reduces cost
- Who owns the car during the agreement? Ayan
- Risks/assurances: Ayan carries ownership risk; customer not liable for total loss unless due to negligence
- Is the extra amount interest? No — it's asset-based profit from renting a real asset, not a money-for-money cash loan

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## FAQ (https://www.ayan.co.uk/faq)

**Fees & penalties:**
- No hidden fees — total payments fully transparent (profit, insurance, road tax, warranty all itemised)
- No penalties for late payments; delays may affect credit score
- No early repayment fees; early settlement reduces future rental charges

**Product:**
- Ijara wa Iqtina is a rent-to-buy but must satisfy additional Shariah conditions per AAOIFI Standard 9
- Not just rent — customer builds equity with each payment and can purchase at any time by clearing balance
- Ayan does not hold vehicle stock; customer chooses from 8,000+ UK dealerships
- Insurance not included; customer arranges own comprehensive cover; warranty optional (can include in finance if on dealer invoice)
- Open to everyone including non-Muslims

**Application & process:**
- Soft credit check at application (no impact on credit score)
- Full hard credit check only on signing
- Apply online in 2 minutes; final decision typically within 2 business days of complete application
- Keys handed over within 1–2 business days after car selection; total process 3–4 business days
- Open Banking for affordability verification (read-only, no stored login credentials)

**Geographic availability:**
- England, Scotland, Wales — not Northern Ireland

**Insurance:**
- Customer can use own insurance
- Ayan collaborates with regulated insurance broker DCL (no commission earned)
- Ayan can take out a policy via DCL with customer as named driver; can finance these premiums
- No-Claims Bonus accrues to customer even when Ayan is policyholder
- Minimum total financing £25,000 for sole traders (no lower limit for limited companies) when insurance premiums are included

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## Private Hire & Business Finance (https://www.ayan.co.uk/private-hire)

Target customers: Uber, Bolt, FreeNow, PCO, chauffeur, SME fleet operators.

**Comparison vs other rent-to-buy:**
- Ayan from £160/week vs competitors at ~£309/week for same car
- Saving up to £149/week = ~£7,748/year
- Ayan: logbook yours from day 1; flexible payments; no fees; unlimited mileage
- Competitors: logbook at end; fixed term with fees; restricted mileage

**Vehicle types financed:**
- Kia Sorento 2023 (Uber XL)
- Mercedes EQE 2023 (Uber Exec)
- Kia Niro 2024 (hybrid SUV)
- Tesla Model 3 2021 (Uber Exec)
- Mercedes S-Class 2022
- Mercedes E-Class EQE 300 89kWh AMG Line 2023
- Mercedes V300d AMG Line 2019
- Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2019
- Volkswagen ID.5 2023
- Up to £100K vehicle value; any UK dealership; PCO-stickered or not

**Uber EV Grant:** £3,000 grant applicable to eligible electric vehicles.

**Process (private hire):**
1. Apply online (2 min, soft credit check)
2. Choose any car from any UK dealership
3. Make affordable deposit (as low as 5%); weekly payments; no hidden fees
4. Build equity; own vehicle outright at end; no balloon payment

**PCO sticker:** Up to 2 weeks given to sort PCO licensing after vehicle collection.

**Insurance & warranty:** Ayan finances insurance premiums and warranty packages at exclusive wholesale rates; Ayan is policyholder; customer keeps No-Claims Bonus.

Trust stats (private hire page): 14,000+ applicants; 11 years Islamic finance experience; 4M+ customers trust Alif ecosystem.

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## Black Cab Finance (https://www.ayan.co.uk/rent-to-buy-black-cabs)

"Own your taxi, one week at a time" — affordable, halal taxi finance for professional London drivers.

**How it works:**
- Ayan buys any black cab from any dealership
- Customer enters Ijara wa Iqtina agreement
- Minimum deposit: 10%
- Weekly payments for 1–5 years
- Early settlement at any time: no early settlement fees, no future rent, ownership transfers immediately
- No balloon payment at end

**Sharia principles applied:**
1. No Riba (interest)
2. No Penalties (late payments)
3. No Gharar (all terms clear upfront)
4. Asset-backed financing

Office available for in-person visits: 4th Floor, 1 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, London W2 6BD. Open 8AM–5PM every day.

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## Uber Car Hire (https://www.ayan.co.uk/uber-rental-cars)

"Drive with Ayan, get Uber-ready, the Islamic way."

| Tier | Weekly cost | Typical earnings | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | From £125/week | Up to £1,000/week | Any 4-door car under 5 years |
| UberXL | From £160/week | Up to £1,200/week | 6+ passenger vehicles; airport transfers |
| Uber Exec | From £280/week | Up to £1,800/week | Luxury 2020+; 4.85+ driver rating |

All are rent-to-own (Ijara wa Iqtina), not just rental. "Own your earning potential, build assets while driving."

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## Blog (https://www.ayan.co.uk/blog)

Categories: Ethical banking, Customer service, Ayan updates, PHV insights, Vehicle finance, Taxi industry, Driving tips, Personal finance

**Business/PHV blog posts:**
- 5 Best Electric Cars for PCO Drivers in 2026
- How Much Do Uber Drivers Really Make in London? 2026 Earnings Breakdown
- Best Uber Executive Cars in the UK (2025)
- Best Uber Comfort Vehicles in 2025
- How to Pass The TfL Topographical Skills Test (2026)
- How to Get More Rides on Uber in 2025
- 9 Ways to Improve Your Uber Driver Rating in 2025
- UberX vs Uber XL vs Uber Exec: Which Pays More in 2025?
- Best Cars for Uber XL in 2025 — Top 5, 7-Seaters for PCO Drivers
- Black Cab vs Uber Driver: Which Career Offers Better Pay?
- How to Save Money as a PCO Driver in London: 8 Smart Hacks for 2025
- Essentials Every Uber Driver Needs in 2025
- Peak Hours and Hotspots in London for PCO Drivers (2025)
- Top Considerations for Private Hire Drivers When Choosing a Vehicle
- Top 10 Cars for Uber Drivers in 2025
- EVs or PHEVs: Best Car for Uber Drivers in 2025
- How to Become a PCO Driver in 2025
- Best Eats for PCO Drivers
- Top PCO-eligible cars for London
- Earn £100 with the Ayan Referral Program
- EV vs PHEV: which is best as an Uber driver in London?
- Step-by-Step guide on becoming a private hire driver in London

**Personal/General blog posts:**
- Building a Halal Alternative: Core Principles Behind Ayan's Car Finance
- Best Hybrid Cars in the UK (2025)
- Heathrow Airport Parking Guide
- Best Muslim Radio Stations in the UK (2026)
- Birmingham Airport Drop-Off Fees (2026)
- How to Wash Your Car Properly
- Best Car Phone Holders
- How to Prepare Your Car for Spring in the UK (2026)
- How to Change the Address on Your Driving Licence (2026)
- Best Halal Late Night Food Spots After Taraweeh
- Road Trip Games for Long Car Journeys
- Manual vs Automatic Cars in the UK (2026)
- Why We Can't Approve Everyone for Halal Car Finance (Responsible Lending)
- UK Driving Theory Test Explained
- What Is Road Tax in the UK (2026)?
- Preparing Your Car for Ramadan
- Best First Cars in 2026
- Top 5 Best SUVs in 2026
- Luton Airport Drop-Off Fees (2026)
- How to Check Eyesight is Fit for Driving
- Best Family Cars in 2026
- Can Financing a Car Build Your Credit?
- How Much Car Finance Can I Afford?
- How Many Miles Can a Car Last?
- Stansted Airport Drop-Off Fees, Locations and Tips
- What Is Comprehensive Car Insurance?
- 5 Tips to Pass Your Driving Test
- What Is a HPI Check?
- How to SORN Your Car in the UK
- Winter Driving Tips Every UK Driver Should Know
- What Oil Goes in My Car? (UK Guide to Engine Oil Types)

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## Legal & Regulatory

**Ayan Capital Ltd**
- FCA authorised and regulated (FRN: 1022208)
- Company No.: 15123809
- Registered office: 20 Wenlock Road, London, England, N1 7GU
- Data Protection registration: ZB613240

**Ayan Capital 1 Ltd**
- FCA registered Annex 1 financial institution (AML only) (FRN: 1021505)
- Company No.: 15996246
- Registered office: Mitchell Charlesworth, 3rd Floor, 44 Peter Street, Manchester, M2 5GP
- Data Protection registration: ZB871398
- All services unregulated

Responsible lending: all applications assessed for affordability and suitability; all credit subject to status, affordability checks, and T&Cs.

- [Privacy Policy](https://www.ayan.co.uk/privacy-policy)
- [Complaints](https://www.ayan.co.uk/complaints)

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## Contact

- **Phone/WhatsApp:** +44 20 3802 0292
- **Email:** support@ayancapital.co.uk
- **Address:** 4th Floor, 1 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, London W2 6BD
- **Hours:** 8AM–5PM every day
- **Social:** Twitter @ayancapital | Instagram @ayan.capital | LinkedIn ayancapital | Facebook ayancapital