IFN UK Forum 2026 Signals a New Chapter for Islamic Pensions

At IFN UK Forum 2026, industry leaders came together to explore how providers can help close the gaps in Sharia-compliant pensions, particularly across workplace schemes and default fund options. Hejaz Group contributed to the discussion through Muzzammil Dhedhy, Executive Director and Chief Risk and Compliance Officer, who joined the panel, “Shariah-Compliant Pensions: Closing the Gaps in a Growing Market.”

The discussion brought attention to some of the key questions shaping Islamic Finance in the UK today: how can the market improve access, scale and pricing, while developing pension solutions that are both credible and competitive?

Why Islamic Pensions Matter

For many Muslims in the UK, retirement planning involves more than considering long-term financial goals. It can also mean ensuring that their savings and investments remain aligned with Sharia principles.

This makes Islamic pensions an increasingly important part of the conversation.

Yet the challenge goes beyond creating pension products that meet Sharia requirements. As discussed at IFN UK Forum 2026, limited availability within workplace schemes and default fund options remains an important gap for the market to address.

Access, scale and pricing are also central to the conversation. For Sharia-compliant pensions to develop further, providers need to consider how solutions can become more accessible while remaining credible and competitive within the wider UK pension landscape.

The forum also highlighted potential areas of development, including digital platforms, Sharia-screened investment strategies and Takaful-based retirement income solutions.

Together, these themes point towards a market that is looking beyond product availability and towards how Sharia-compliant pensions can work in practice for a wider range of Muslim investors.

From Islamic Pensions to Long-Term Wealth Planning

The conversation around pensions also sits within a much bigger financial picture.

A pension is one part of a longer journey from building wealth during working life to planning for financial needs in retirement. For Muslim investors, Halal retirement planning can therefore form part of a broader approach to Islamic wealth management.

This means looking at how different Sharia-compliant financial solutions can support different stages of that journey.

Investment strategies, pension structures and retirement income solutions each have a role to play. The opportunity for the industry is to consider how these elements can work together to create a more connected approach to long-term wealth planning.

Technology may also support this development. Digital platforms can help improve access to investment solutions, while Sharia-screened strategies can give investors greater visibility into how their long-term capital is invested.

What IFN UK Forum 2026 Signals for Islamic Finance UK

The focus on pensions at the IFN UK Forum 2026 reflects the growing importance of long-term financial planning within the Islamic finance conversation.

The UK has a well-established Islamic finance ecosystem, and the forum brings together financial institutions, investors, advisers, service providers and other industry stakeholders to discuss developments shaping the sector.

The pension conversation adds another layer to that ecosystem.

For Muslim investors, access to Islamic finance is not simply about having individual products available. It is also about having meaningful options to consider across different stages of life.

That makes the development of Sharia-compliant pensions relevant not only to retirement planning, but to the wider evolution of Islamic wealth management in the UK.

The opportunity ahead is to continue addressing the gaps in access, scale and pricing while exploring solutions that can meet both the practical needs of the market and the principles that matter to Muslim investors.

Hejaz at IFN UK Forum 2026: Continuing the Conversation

For Hejaz, contributing to the discussion at IFN UK Forum 2026 is part of a broader commitment to advancing conversations around Sharia-compliant finance and long-term wealth planning.

Muzzammil Dhedhy’s contribution focused on a clear challenge: Islamic pensions need to move from the margins into the mainstream workplace. That means going beyond Sharia screening to address product design, pricing, access and the trust needed to support long-term adoption.

“The Muslim world doesn’t lack Sharia-compliant products. It lacks the infrastructure that connects communities to them.”

Muzzammil Dhedhy, Co-Founder Hejaz Group, Executive Director Wahda, CRO.

This thinking also sits behind Wahda, built by Hejaz as a Muslim digital ecosystem designed to strengthen the connection between communities and the tools, institutions and opportunities created for them. It signals the next step in Hejaz’s approach: not only building credible Islamic financial solutions, but also the infrastructure that can help them reach and serve Muslims on a greater scale.

As the UK Islamic pension market develops, progress will depend on how effectively the industry brings together strong products, wider access and trusted governance. Turning that opportunity into meaningful participation will be the next test.

Follow Hejaz on social media for the latest updates from our participation in the IFN UK Forum 2026 and explore our approach to Islamic wealth planning on the Hejaz website.

Disclaimer:

This material has been prepared by Hejaz Financial Services as a Corporate Authorised Representative number 001286485 of Hejaz Financial Advisers Pty Ltd (ABN 49 634 683 613 AFSL 517686) and is provided for general information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice and should not be relied upon as such. Please refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making any financial decision.