ایمازون کے تجارتی معاملات کا شرعی جائزہ: اسلامی قانونِ تجارت کی روشنی میں

A Shariah Review of Amazon’s Commercial Transactions: In the Light of Islamic Commercial Law

Abstract

The expansion of e-commerce has introduced commercial structures that differ markedly from classical trading practices, raising significant Sharī‘ah considerations. This study offers a systematic Sharī‘ah analysis of Amazon’s commercial ecosystem to evaluate the permissibility of its dominant business models and operational mechanisms. It examines key Amazon models through the framework of Islamic commercial jurisprudence, with reference to the principles of ownership, possession, liability, agency, brokerage, manufacturing contracts and Ijāra. The research further evaluates Amazon’s fulfillment systems (FBA and FBM), delivery arrangements, fee structures, advertising practices, payment methods, and return and refund policies. Particular attention is given to Sharī‘ah concerns including selling without ownership, uncertain compensation in pay-per-click advertising, and interest-based credit card transactions. Where inconsistencies with Sharī‘ah principles are identified, the study proposes practical and jurisprudentially sound alternatives. The findings show that several Amazon business models are Sharī‘ah-compliant when essential contractual conditions are fulfilled, while others most notably conventional dropshipping require structural modification. This research provides practical guidance for Sharī‘ah-compliant participation in contemporary digital marketplaces.