Product Overclaim Practices in Digital Marketplaces: An Islamic Economic Law and Consumer Protection Perspective

Abstract

The rapid expansion of digital marketplaces has fundamentally altered the structure of commercial transactions, creating unprecedented efficiency while simultaneously intensifying legal and ethical risks. One of the most pervasive issues in this context is product overclaim, namely the practice of exaggerating or misrepresenting product attributes to influence consumer decisions. This article critically examines product overclaim practices through the lens of Islamic Economic Law and modern consumer protection principles. Employing a normative juridical method with doctrinal analysis, this study explores classical fiqh concepts such as tadlis, gharar, and contractual consent (ridha), and juxtaposes them with contemporary consumer protection norms. The findings demonstrate that overclaim practices constitute a serious violation of Islamic commercial ethics and undermine the moral legitimacy of digital transactions. Moreover, Islamic Economic Law offers a robust ethical-legal framework that complements modern regulatory regimes by emphasizing moral accountability alongside legal enforcement. This study argues that integrating Islamic ethical principles into digital marketplace governance can enhance consumer protection and foster sustainable digital commerce