Is BUD (Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, BUD is Not Halal (Haram) and is not considered permissible for Muslim investors. It failed 2 of 4 compliance screens. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV's core business activity was found to be non-compliant. Its debt-to-market-cap ratio of 46.98% exceeds the ≤33% threshold.

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV is the world 's largest brewer, dominating the global alcohol market with a massive portfolio of over 500 brands. The company produces and distributes iconic names like Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois, alongside regional heavyweights like Brahma in Brazil and Har bin in China. While they have a small footprint in non-alcoholic beverages, their core identity and revenue stream are inextricably linked to the mass production of beer and other alcoholic drinks. For Muslim investors using HalalStocks.co.uk, An heuser-Busch InBev is classified as Not Halal (Haram). The primary reason is the nature of its business; investing in a company whose main purpose is the sale of intoxicants is impermissible under Shariah law. Additionally, the company failed the financial screening for leverage, meaning it carries more interest-bearing debt than is acceptable under AAOIFI standards . Financially, the company's structure presents multiple issues for Shariah compliance beyond just the product line. With a Debt-to-Market Cap ratio of 47.0%, BUD is heavily leveraged, exceeding the 33% limit set by scholars to minimize exposure to interest (riba). While they passed the cash and interest income screens, these passes are irrelevant given the fundamental impermissibility of their core business activities. Investors seeking exposure to the beverage sector should look elsewhere, specifically targeting companies focused on soft drinks, water, or juices that do not derive revenue from alcohol. There is no scholarly debate regarding companies like BUD; because the primary business activity is explicitly haram, purification of dividends is not an option, and the stock is entirely uninvestable for Shariah-conscious portfolios. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV operates in the Consumer Defensive sector under the Beverages - Alcoholic industry and is headquartered in Leuven, BE. The company is led by CEO Michel Dimitrios Doukeris and employs approximately 144,000 people.

BUD 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. BUD passed 2 of these 4 screens.

BUD 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.