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.