Budgeting is not just about numbers. It is about intention, discipline, and making sure your money brings you closer to Allah, not further away. An Islamic budget planner helps you manage your income while staying true to your values, avoiding debt, paying Zakat, giving in charity, and ensuring your spending is Halaal.
Whether you are saving for Hajj, paying off loans, or just trying to avoid overspending, this planner is your tool for living a more conscious and barakah-filled financial life.
Why Use an Islamic Budget Planner?
Budgeting with Islamic principles puts your values at the heart of your financial decisions. It helps you:
- Track your income and expenses
- Make space for Zakat and Sadaqah
- Avoid interest-based borrowing
- Save for important goals like Hajj or your children’s education
- Spend mindfully on things that matter
- Protect yourself from debt and waste
- Keep your heart attached to Allah, not your bank account
“Indeed the wasteful are brothers of the devils.”
(Qur’an 17:27)
A clear, realistic budget helps you avoid waste, worry, and weakness in your financial habits.
How to Build Your Budget – Step by Step
Step 1: Know Your Income
Start by calculating all the money you receive regularly:
| Source | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Salary | £ |
| Self-employment or freelance | £ |
| Child benefit or tax credits | £ |
| Rental income | £ |
| Other (grants, family support) | £ |
| Total Monthly Income | £ |
Add your after-tax and after-NI amounts only. Do not include irregular gifts or one-off support.
Step 2: List Your Monthly Expenses
Be honest and detailed. Divide into categories like this:
Essentials
| Expense | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Rent or mortgage | £ |
| Utility bills | £ |
| Food and groceries | £ |
| Transport | £ |
| Insurance (car, home, life) | £ |
| School or childcare | £ |
| Medical expenses | £ |
Obligations
| Expense | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Zakat (monthly portion) | £ |
| Sadaqah | £ |
| Debt repayments (non-interest) | £ |
| Family support or dependants | £ |
Lifestyle & Extras
| Expense | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Phone and internet | £ |
| Clothes and personal care | £ |
| Entertainment | £ |
| Eating out or takeaways | £ |
| Subscriptions | £ |
| Gifts or celebrations | £ |
Savings & Goals
| Purpose | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Emergency fund | £ |
| Hajj or Umrah savings | £ |
| Children’s education | £ |
| Business or investment | £ |
At the end, calculate your:
- Total Expenses
- Income minus Expenses
Step 3: Review and Reflect
- Are you spending too much on non-essentials?
- Have you set aside enough for charity or long-term goals?
- Are your earnings and spending Halaal?
- Can you reduce anything without harm?
- Is there anything you can give up to support others in need?
Sometimes barakah comes from reducing, not earning more.
Barakah-Based Budgeting Tips
- Give first, not last – Make Sadaqah your first line in the budget
- Avoid Riba – If you are paying or receiving interest, look for ways to shift to Halaal alternatives
- Live simply – The Prophet ﷺ chose simplicity even when wealth was available
- Track weekly – Do not just set a monthly plan. Check in every Friday or Sunday night
- Involve the family – Let children see you plan with care and faith
- Make du’a for barakah – Sustenance is not just about how much, but how blessed it is
Example Budget Summary
| Category | Monthly Total |
|---|---|
| Total Income | £2,800 |
| Essentials | £1,400 |
| Obligations | £400 |
| Lifestyle | £450 |
| Savings | £300 |
| Leftover | £250 (buffer or extra Sadaqah) |
This simple model helps you stay grounded and generous, without running into shortfalls or guilt.
Budgeting with Family in Mind
- Set shared goals: Hajj, house deposit, Umrah, or education
- Build a Sadaqah jar together
- Track expenses with a joint online sheet or app
- Let each child “own” one small saving task like packing lunch or turning off lights
- Use milestones to teach about intention and contentment
Download or Start Today
Until the full Halaal Budget Planner tool is launched, use one of these options:
👉 [Download Our Islamic Budget Planner – Excel Template (coming soon)]
👉 Build your own in Google Sheets or use a free budgeting app like YNAB or EveryDollar, and adapt it with your Islamic categories
You can also keep a paper notebook if that helps you stay focused.
Islamic Quote to Reflect On
“Indeed, Allah is pleased with a servant who, when he eats, praises Him and when he drinks, praises Him.”
(Sahih Muslim, 2734)
Gratitude in what we earn, spend, and save starts with being aware. A budget is your way of showing that gratitude in action.