Shar‘i Ruling on Cancelling Rides in Uber, Careem to Avoid Commission
Question:Is it Islamically permissible for Uber, Careem, or other ride-share drivers to ask passengers to cancel the ride in order to avoid paying commission to the company?
Answer by: Fadhīlat al-ʿĀlim Ḥāfiẓ Khiḍr Ḥayāt ḥafiẓahullāh❖ Summary of the Ruling:
Asking the passenger to cancel a booked ride to evade company commission is not permissible in Sharīʿah. This practice involves deception and breach of agreement, which are explicitly forbidden in Islam.
① Breach of Trust With the Company
◈ Both the driver and the passenger are utilizing the company’s platform for mutual benefit.
◈ Paying commission is part of the agreement between the driver and the company.
◈ To avoid this commission by manipulating the system is a form of khiyānah (betrayal), which is ḥarām.
② Misusing the Cancellation Feature
◈ The cancel option in the app is provided for genuine reasons—e.g., driver cannot reach, address issues, or emergencies.
◈ Using this feature to bypass commission is dishonesty, and such manipulation is sinful.
③ Drivers’ Justifications Are Not Valid
◈ Drivers may claim low fares or high commissions as excuses, which might seem logical.
◈ However, these do not justify breaking a contract.
◈ If the driver is dissatisfied, he should raise concerns with the company, not violate the terms.
④ Passenger’s Responsibility
◈ If a driver insists on cancelling the ride, the passenger should use the app’s option:
“The driver asked me to cancel.”
This helps the company take appropriate action.
◈ The passenger is also encouraged to advise the driver about the Shar‘i and ethical implications of such actions.
⑤ Using Personal Contact Outside the App
◈ If a personal relationship develops and future rides are arranged independently of the app, it is permissible,
➤ Provided it does not interfere with or violate existing platform agreements.
Conclusion:
✔ Cancelling rides to help drivers evade commission is ḥarām and unethical.
✔ It falls under khiyānah (betrayal) and kadhb (lying), both of which are prohibited in Islam.
✔ However, off-app arrangements for future rides are allowed, as long as no existing contract is breached.
