Is MAR (Marriott International, Inc.) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, MAR 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 (18.31% vs ≤33% threshold), interest income ratio (0.16% vs ≤5% threshold), and cash & securities ratio (0.38% vs ≤33% threshold).

Marriott International, Inc. is a global leader in the travel and lodging industry, operating, franchising, and licensing properties worldwide. The company manages a vast portfolio of well-known hospitality brands, ranging from luxury options like The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to accessible stays like Courtyard and Fairfield by Marriott. For Muslim investors, Marriott represents an appealing halal investment opportunity within the consumer cyclical sector. The stock successfully passes all four AAOIFI shariah screens, meaning its core business activities and financial structures align with Islamic principles without exceeding allowable thresholds for debt or impure income. From an Islamic finance perspective, Marriott demonstrates strong financial discipline with a debt-to-market cap ratio of 18.3%, comfortably below the 33% limit. Additionally, the company generates minimal non-permissible income, with interest revenue accounting for just 0.16% of its total earnings, ensuring the bulk of its profits come from legitimate operational activities. While the core lodging business is halal, investors should remain aware that some hotel properties serve alcohol or offer entertainment that may not align perfectly with Islamic values. However, because these activities do not constitute Marriott's primary corporate revenue stream, the stock remains broadly compliant, though strict investors may choose to purify a small portion of their dividends. Marriott International, Inc. operates in the Consumer Cyclical sector under the Travel Lodging industry and is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, US. The company is led by CEO Anthony G. Capuano Jr. and employs approximately 418,000 people.

MAR 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. MAR passed 4 of these 4 screens.

Although MAR passes all shariah screens, it does earn $42.0M in interest income (0.16% 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 $0.16 to purify the income.

MAR 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.