Is GS (The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, GS is Not Halal (Haram) and is not considered permissible for Muslim investors. It failed 4 of 4 compliance screens. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.'s core business activity was found to be non-compliant. Its debt-to-market-cap ratio of 225.96% exceeds the ≤33% threshold. Its interest income of 64.25% exceeds the ≤5% limit. Its cash & securities ratio of 231.52% exceeds the ≤33% threshold.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a premier global financial institution that provides a broad array of services including investment banking, asset management, and global market operations. The firm serves corporations, governments, and individuals worldwide, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, strategic advisory, and middle-market lending. For Muslim investors using HalalStocks.co.uk, Goldman Sachs is classified as Not Halal (Haram) as it completely fails all four AAOIFI screening criteria. Because its core business model is built around conventional banking and interest-based lending, it fundamentally violates the Islamic prohibition on riba, making it unsuitable for a halal portfolio. The company's financial structure is heavily reliant on conventional debt and interest generation, with interest income making up 64.25% of its total revenue. Furthermore, its debt-to-market cap ratio of 226.0% and cash-to-market cap ratio of 231.5% grossly exceed the 33% Islamic finance thresholds, underscoring its deep integration with interest-bearing instruments. There is no scholarly debate regarding conventional banks like Goldman Sachs; they are universally considered non-compliant by Islamic scholars. Halal investors must categorically avoid this stock and instead look toward Islamic financial institutions or permissible equity sectors for wealth generation. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. operates in the Financial Services sector under the Financial - Capital Markets industry and is headquartered in New York City, NY, US. The company is led by CEO David Solomon and employs approximately 46,600 people.

GS 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. GS passed 0 of these 4 screens.

GS was last screened on 2026-04-29. 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.