Manzil
Manzil — Halal Investing (Aghaz → Manzil)
Goals-based halal investing from the Aghaz monorepo — React Native app, Express/Postgres API, Plaid funding, admin ops; now Manzil Invest at manzil.ca.
Timeline
2021 – 2025
Stack size
10 technologies
Role
Lead / Senior Engineer
Company
Aghaz Investments → Manzil
Overview
Overview
Aghaz Investments (aghazinvest) was a Canadian halal, goals-based investing product — mobile-first portfolios, Plaid-linked bank funding, deposits, payouts, and rebalancing. Manzil acquired Aghaz; the live consumer brand is now Manzil Invest at manzil.ca with the same Shariah-compliant mission.
- Engineering workspace: the Aghaz monorepo — `aghaz-app` (React Native, `com.aghazinvest`), `aghaz-api` (Express + PostgreSQL goals/portfolio/plaid routes), `aghaz-admin` (CoreUI operator console), `aghaz-portal`, `aghaz-website`, `aghaz-app-upgrade`, and `manzil-mobile-app` for the rebrand path.
- I built across mobile, API, and admin: goal creation and portfolio mapping, initial/recurring deposits, transaction lists and statements, portfolio review scoring, Plaid token exchange, Firebase push/analytics/crashlytics, and admin tooling for clients, transactions, and promotions.
Problem
Problem
Muslim investors needed a halal investing experience with real money movement — not a static portfolio calculator. Aghaz had to wire goals, portfolio assignments, Plaid funding, payouts, and operator oversight into one coherent stack before and through the Manzil acquisition.
Architecture
Architecture
Mobile (`aghaz-app`)
API (`aghaz-api`)
Web & ops
Features
Features
- React Native consumer app (`aghaz-app`): goals dashboard, portfolio checkout, transactions, payouts, signup/KYC, and biometric-friendly flows.
- Plaid Link integration (native SDK) for bank account linking and funding-source management.
- Express API routes for goals, goal portfolios, initial/recurring deposits, payouts, rebalancing, beneficiaries, and transaction statements.
- Portfolio review and scoring flows (including email score delivery) for investor education.
- Admin console (`aghaz-admin`): client goals, transaction lists/stats, promotional gifts, blogs, push notifications.
- Firebase push, analytics, and crash reporting on mobile; Firebase Admin on API for notifications.
- Rebrand engineering via `manzil-mobile-app` and Manzil Invest app listings while manzil.ca carries compliance and product education.
Outcomes
Outcomes
- Shipped production goal-based investing across Aghaz mobile, API, and admin surfaces.
- Enabled operators to manage goals, transactions, and campaigns without daily engineering intervention.
- Preserved funding and portfolio data contracts through the Aghaz → Manzil transition.
Technologies
Technologies
FAQ
FAQ
Where was Aghaz built?
The Aghaz monorepo: `aghaz-app` (React Native), `aghaz-api` (Express/Postgres), `aghaz-admin`, portal, and marketing site — later extended with `manzil-mobile-app` for the Manzil rebrand.
What happened to Aghaz Invest?
Aghaz Investments was acquired by Manzil. Investing continues as Manzil Invest (manzil.ca / app stores) with AAOIFI-aligned Shariah governance and expanded Manzil product lines.
What did you build on the API side?
Goal and portfolio endpoints, Plaid token exchange, deposits and payouts, rebalancing, transaction statements, portfolio review scoring, and admin routes for client goal management and transaction operations.
More work