Is SHW (The Sherwin-Williams Company) Halal or Haram?

Based on our AAOIFI-standard shariah screening, SHW 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 (18.58% vs ≤33% threshold), interest income ratio (0.05% vs ≤5% threshold), and cash & securities ratio (0.26% vs ≤33% threshold).

The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the specialty chemicals sector, primarily known for developing, manufacturing, and distributing paints and coatings. Operating through segments like The Americas Group and Performance Coatings Group, it serves everyone from do-it-yourself homeowners to large-scale industrial and marine contractors with architectural and OEM finishes. For Muslim investors using HalalStocks.co.uk, Sherwin-Williams is currently classified as a Halal investment, passing all four AAOIFI screening criteria. Its core business of manufacturing paints and coatings involves no impermissible activities, offering a clean, tangible product line that aligns perfectly with Islamic ethical standards. From an Islamic finance perspective, the company's balance sheet is highly favorable, featuring a conservative debt-to-market cap ratio of 18.6%. Furthermore, Sherwin-Williams relies almost entirely on its core operations for revenue, with interest income accounting for a microscopic 0.05% of its total earnings, meaning purification requirements will be minimal. Since there is no significant scholarly debate regarding the permissibility of the paint and coatings industry, Muslim investors can hold this stock with confidence. However, as with any equity investment, it remains important to monitor quarterly debt levels to ensure the company stays below the 33% AAOIFI threshold during broader market fluctuations. The Sherwin-Williams Company operates in the Basic Materials sector under the Chemicals - Specialty industry and is headquartered in Cleveland, OH, US. The company is led by CEO Heidi G. Petz and employs approximately 63,890 people.

SHW 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. SHW passed 4 of these 4 screens.

Although SHW passes all shariah screens, it does earn $11.2M in interest income (0.05% 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 $0.05 to purify the income.

SHW 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.