Ensuring Shariah Integrity in the Halal Supply Chain: A Normative and Operational Analysis

Abstract

The global halal supply chain is a critical component of Muslim consumer markets, ensuring that goods and services meet the ethical, sanitary, and religious requirements outlined by shariah. However, the practical implementation of shariah principles within modern supply chains remains inconsistent across regions and industries. This study investigates the normative foundations and operational practices that define shariah-compliant halal supply chains in both theoretical and practical contexts. The objective of this research is to examine the intersection of Islamic legal standards with modern supply chain management practices, identifying how shariah rulings (ḥukm) inform the procedures of sourcing, production, storage, and distribution within the halal framework. By doing so, the paper aims to offer a comprehensive theoretical model of compliance and highlight systemic gaps in current practices. The research utilizes a qualitative approach grounded in textual analysis, examining classical Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), contemporary fatwas, international halal standards (e.g., MS 2400), and scholarly publications. The findings suggest that many current supply chain practices risk compromising shariah compliance due to a lack of integration between jurisprudential understanding and industrial logistics. Ultimately, this study underscores the necessity for a harmonized model that bridges Islamic jurisprudence with modern logistics frameworks. It calls for regulatory bodies, halal certifiers, and supply chain actors to integrate scholarly interpretations with practical compliance mechanisms.