Is HST (Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, HST is classified as Doubtful. It passed 3 of 4 compliance screens. Some scholars may permit investing with income purification, while others advise avoiding it. We recommend consulting a qualified Islamic scholar before investing in HST.

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is the largest lodging real estate investment trust (REIT) and a major owner of luxury and upper-upscale hotels. The company owns 74 properties in the US and five internationally, partnering with premium brands like Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and Westin to operate approximately 46,100 rooms. For Muslim investors, HST currently holds a doubtful shariah compliance status. Although its core real estate business is permissible and it passes the cash and interest income screens, the stock fails the critical debt-to-market cap screen, rendering it non-compliant for strict portfolios. The primary concern from an Islamic finance perspective is the company's reliance on interest-bearing debt, with its debt-to-market cap ratio reaching 39.1%, well above the 33% AAOIFI limit. However, its interest-bearing securities remain low at 5.3% of market cap, and impure interest income is minimal at just 0.52% of total revenue. Investors should also be mindful that while the hotel ownership model is permissible, luxury resorts often derive secondary income from alcohol sales or non-compliant entertainment. Muslim shareholders must monitor both the company's fluctuating debt levels and ensure that non-compliant secondary revenues remain below the 5% tolerance threshold. Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. operates in the Real Estate sector under the REIT - Hotel & Motel industry and is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, US. The company is led by CEO James F. Risoleo and employs approximately 165 people.

HST 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. HST passed 3 of these 4 screens.

HST 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.