Endowments are often overlooked when it comes to portfolio planning, but they offer many benefits to investors. Endowments are investment ‘wrappers’ around underlying investments in equities, property, bonds and cash that offer tax and estate planning benefits, especially to people in a 30%-plus tax bracket. Originally considered expensive, inflexible and opaque, decreases in cost,...
Are financial planners missing a trick?
Tax Fee Savings was introduced through legislation in March 2015 and is a new type of savings vehicle where savings could accumulate tax free and to encourage a culture of savings in South Africa. There are many advisers out there who are not making use of this fantastic product in their client’s portfolio. Out...
Weather the storm of low returns
You can’t fix a slump – stay with it – because feeling a tad disillusioned by your investment portfolio is a sign of the times, says Eugene Visagie of Morningstar Investment Management SA (MIMSA). For the best part of five years, investors could be excused for thinking they’ve been hitting the replay button on...
Laylatul Qadr-The Night of Decree!
Allah Ta’ala in His infinite Mercy has favoured us in so many ways. Such blessings that we cannot possibly enumerate nor show sufficient gratitude to the Almighty. Amongst the many blessings include a very special GIFT..Laylatul Qadr- The Night of Decree. It is an opportunity to gain closeness to our Creator, forgiveness of our sins and an elevated position in Jannah (Paradise). The Night of Power is...
Second Ashra – Days Of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is to do Astaghfaar for all sins committed so far by Muslims especially in the second Ashra of Ramadan and to repent unto Allah. Do Astaghfaar, feel sorry, desist from committing it again, and make sure not to fall for the same sin again.Dua for the second Ashra is: Translation: “I seek forgiveness from...
Faq pertaining to Zakaat
Zakah is Fardh (compulsory) upon every sane adult Muslim (male and female) who possesses net-Zakatable assets (i.e. Zakatable assets over and above one’s basic needs minus liabilities) to the value of Nisab (minimum threshold) for one’s Zakatable (lunar) year. Zakatable Assets: 1. Gold and Silver: All forms of gold and silver, jewellery that contain...
10 tips to see the best of Ramadan
Ramadan is awaited with much anticipation – a special guest that visits us annually. To ensure that we are prepared for our visitor the following is a ten-point check list that we should try to uphold to see the best of Ramadan. Do with the heart – There should be no ulterior motive in...
The Night of Bara’ah
Sha’ban: Merits, Do’s, and Dont’s Part 2 of 4 By Mufti Taqi Usmani The Night of Bara’ah Another significant feature of the month of Sha’ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shariah as “Laylatul-bara’ah” (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14thand 15th day of Sha’ban. There are certain traditions of Prophet...
Sha’baan Merits, Do’s & Dont’s Part 2 of 4
Sha’ban: Merits, Do’s, and Dont’s Part 2 of 4 By Mufti Taqi Usmani The Night of Bara’ah Another significant feature of the month of Sha’ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shariah as “Laylatul-bara’ah” (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14thand 15th day of Sha’ban. There...