Islamic Overview on Dropshipping

Dropshipping in Islamic Jurisprudence

Madhhab/Maslak Permissibility Key Condition Reference
Hanafi ✅ Conditional Must possess item or act as agent (Wakil) Dar al-Ifta Egypt, Mufti Taqi Usmani (Islamic Finance Expert)
Shafi‘i ✅ Conditional Allowed via Salam contract or if item is non-specific SeekersGuidance, Al-Azhar University
Maliki ✅ Conditional Salam contract or agent-based structure Islamic Fiqh Academy, Al-Azhar University
Hanbali ✅ Conditional Must disclose terms; agency or Salam structure International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), Darul Ifta Jeddah
Ja'fari (Shia) ✅ Conditional Seller must own or possess item; transparency required; Wakalah allowed Al-Islam.org, Ayatollah Khamenei (Supreme Leader of Iran)

📦 Islamic Dropshipping Permissibility (Simplified)

  • Ownership or Agency (Wakalah): The seller must either own the product or work as an authorized agent on behalf of the supplier.
  • Salam Contract (Advance Payment): If the buyer pays in advance for a clearly defined product with a fixed delivery date, it’s allowed under a Salam contract.
  • Transparency: All product details, delivery times, and return policies must be clearly disclosed and honest.
  • No Riba (Interest): The entire transaction must be free from interest, and only halal payment methods should be used.

✅ Conclusion: According to major Islamic schools of thought (Hanafi, Shafi‘i, Maliki, Hanbali, Ja‘fari), dropshipping is conditionally permissible if these key guidelines are followed.