Is AZN (AstraZeneca PLC) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, AZN is Halal and considered permissible for Muslim investors. It passed all 4 of 4 compliance screens including business activity review, debt-to-market-cap ratio (4.67% vs ≤33% threshold), interest income ratio (0.61% vs ≤5% threshold), and cash & securities ratio (0.90% vs ≤33% threshold).

AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical giant focused on the discovery and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its portfolio is heavily weighted towards high-impact areas like oncology, with blockbuster drugs such as Tagrisso and Imfinzi, as well as cardiovascular and renal treatments like Farxiga. The company also maintains a significant presence in rare diseases through products like Soliris and Ultomiris, alongside its well-known respiratory treatments such as Symbicort. For Muslim investors, AstraZeneca represents a strong shariah-compliant option in the healthcare sector , having passed all four AAOIFI screening criteria. The company's core business of healing and medicine production is inherently permissible ( halal), and it does not derive significant income from haram activities like alcohol or gambling. This 'Halal' status allows investors to gain exposure to the pharmaceutical industry without compromising their ethical or religious values. Financially, the company demonstrates excellent discipline from an Islamic perspective, with interest-bearing debt sitting at a comfortable 4.7% of its market capitalization. Additionally, the company's cash and interest-bearing securities account for only 0.9% of its market cap, well below the 33% limit, suggesting that management reinvests capital efficiently rather than hoarding cash in interest-bearing accounts. This low leverage and minimal reliance on interest income make it a robust candidate for a halal portfolio. Investors should continue to monitor the company's acquisition strategy, as purchasing highly leveraged companies could alter these favorable ratios in the future . However, currently, there are no major scholarly debates regarding its compliance, making it a straightforward inclusion for those following AAOIFI standards . AstraZeneca PLC operates in the Healthcare sector under the Drug Manufacturers - General industry and is headquartered in Cambridge, GB. The company is led by CEO Pascal Claude Roland Soriot and employs approximately 94,300 people.

AZN was screened using AAOIFI-based shariah compliance criteria. Four tests are applied: (1) Business Activity — the company's core business must not derive primary income from haram (prohibited) activities such as alcohol, gambling, tobacco, or interest-based finance. (2) Debt-to-Market-Cap — total debt must not exceed 33% of market capitalization. (3) Interest Income — interest income must not exceed 5% of total revenue. (4) Cash & Securities — cash and interest-bearing securities must not exceed 33% of market cap. AZN passed 4 of these 4 screens.

Although AZN passes all shariah screens, it does earn $360.0M in interest income (0.61% of revenue). Many scholars recommend purifying this portion by donating the equivalent percentage of any dividends received to charity. For example, if you receive $100 in dividends, you would donate approximately $0.61 to purify the income.

AZN was last screened on 2026-02-24. Shariah compliance status can change as companies report new financial data, acquire new businesses, or shift revenue streams. We recommend checking back periodically for the most up-to-date screening results.