Mufti Taqi Usmani declares cryptocurrency purchases impermissible under Sharia

ISLAMABAD: Renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has ruled that purchasing goods and services through cryptocurrency is not permissible under Sharia, stating that digital currencies do not currently qualify as "maal" (wealth) according to the findings of experts and Islamic jurisprudence.

The ruling was issued in a fatwa by Darul Ifta, Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi, dated 24 Zilhaj 1447 AH (June 10, 2026). Besides Mufti Taqi Usmani, the fatwa bears the signatures of five other prominent Islamic scholars.

The ruling was issued in response to questions regarding the purchase of books and online educational courses using cryptocurrency.

Addressing the purchase of books, the fatwa states that acquiring books through cryptocurrency is not permissible because, based on the research and opinions of experts available so far, cryptocurrency cannot be regarded as "maal" under Sharia.

It describes cryptocurrency as "the recording of fictitious numbers in an account," whether in the form of USDT or other crypto tokens, rather than a form of legally recognised wealth.

Since cryptocurrency is not recognised as wealth under Islamic law, the fatwa says ownership of goods purchased through it is not valid.

"As a result, it is not permissible to use such books or sell them to others," the ruling states, adding that anyone who has acquired books through cryptocurrency must return them to the original seller wherever possible.

The fatwa cites a number of classical Islamic jurisprudential references in support of its ruling.

Responding to a similar question regarding online educational courses purchased through cryptocurrency, the scholars ruled that such transactions were likewise invalid.

The fatwa states that obtaining a digital educational course through cryptocurrency is not permissible and advises users not to benefit from or share the course with others.

Because digital course material remains with the seller even after the transaction, the ruling instructs users to permanently delete all related files and materials from their devices instead of continuing to use them.

The latest ruling adds to the ongoing religious and legal debate over the status of cryptocurrencies, with the scholars maintaining that, based on current research, digital tokens do not fulfil the Sharia requirements necessary to be recognised as valid wealth or a lawful medium of exchange.