Bridging the teaching of fiqh and digital trade: Student reflections on Shariah-compliant e-commerce learning in the classroom

Abstract

Abstract: The rapid expansion of e-commerce has reshaped consumer behaviour, particularly among youth, including Muslim students. While offering convenience and broader market access, online transactions also raise concerns regarding Shariah compliance, especially when Islamic literacy is limited. Despite the increasing participation of Muslim youth in digital marketplaces, little is known about how Islamic education influences their awareness and behaviour in ensuring ethical and lawful trade. This study aims to explore how students from the Diploma in Muamalat programme at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Terengganu conceptualise Shariah-compliant e-commerce based on knowledge gained from their academic coursework. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with six purposively selected students and analysed thematically. Findings indicate that participants had a basic yet functional understanding of the permissibility of e-commerce within Islamic jurisprudence. They identified key compliance markers such as mutual consent, avoidance of gharar and riba, and the impermissibility of selling haram goods. Respondents also raised concerns over unethical selling practices, deferred payment schemes, and the challenge of verifying product authenticity in digital spaces. Importantly, students attributed their awareness to muamalat-related teaching and recognised the role of Islamic education in shaping responsible consumer and entrepreneurial behaviour. This study contributes to the discourse on Islamic digital literacy and underscores the pedagogical significance of teaching applied Shariah principles within contemporary commerce education. Future research could expand the demographic scope, evaluate the effectiveness of specific teaching approaches, or explore comparative outcomes across institutions with different muamalat curriculum.