Islamic Law Analysis of PayLater Contracts in Online Marketplace Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35335/qs105330Keywords:
Islamic Law, PayLater, Fintech, Sharia Compliance, Online MarketplaceAbstract
The rapid development of financial technology (fintech) has led to the widespread adoption of Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) or PayLater services in major online marketplaces such as Shopee, Tokopedia, and Lazada. These services offer consumers flexible payment options by allowing deferred payments without immediate full settlement. However, from an Islamic law perspective, concerns arise regarding the compliance of such contracts with Sharia principles. This research aims to analyze the structure, terms, and mechanisms of PayLater contracts based on Islamic jurisprudence, particularly focusing on the prohibition of riba (interest), gharar (uncertainty), and zulm (injustice or exploitation). The study uses a qualitative normative approach with content analysis of PayLater agreements and Sharia legal principles, supported by expert opinions and existing fatwas. The findings indicate that most current PayLater models contain non-compliant elements, particularly in the form of interest-based late fees and lack of contractual transparency. This research proposes alternative Sharia-compliant financing models such as murabahah, ijarah, and qardh hasan that can replace conventional PayLater mechanisms. The study concludes that greater regulatory oversight, ethical system design, and consumer education are essential to ensure the development of fintech products that align with the values of Islamic finance and protect Muslim consumers from engaging in impermissible transactions.
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