Is trading in stocks halal?

Scholars differ Money & business Quran · 1

Short answer

Most contemporary scholars permit buying shares in companies whose main business is lawful, with conditions. Shares in companies whose main business is haram (alcohol, interest-based banks) are forbidden. Scholars differ about companies that are mostly lawful but have a small amount of interest income, and about margin buying and short selling, which most forbid. Check the company and ask a scholar.

Evidence

Quran

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَٰرَةً عَن تَرَاضٍۢ مِّنكُمْ ۚ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمًۭا ﴿٢٩﴾

O ye who believe! Squander not your wealth among yourselves in vanity, except it be a trade by mutual consent, and kill not one another. Lo! Allah is ever Merciful unto you.

This is general information, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.