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ArbunA non-refundable down payment or earnest money to secure a purchase. Definition from the HalalWallet Islamic Finance Glossary. Arabic: عربون.Published by HalalWallet (halalwallet.us).

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Arbun

عربون

Pronunciation: ar-BOON

Contracts

A non-refundable down payment or earnest money to secure a purchase.

Definition

A down payment or earnest money in an Islamic contract. The buyer pays a non-refundable deposit to secure the right to purchase an asset at a later date. If the buyer proceeds, the deposit is applied to the purchase price.

If the buyer withdraws, the deposit is forfeited. Some scholars compare it to a call option in conventional finance, though its permissibility varies among the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

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Quick Answer

Arbun (عربون) — A non-refundable down payment or earnest money to secure a purchase. A down payment or earnest money in an Islamic contract. The buyer pays a non-refundable deposit to secure the right to purchase an asset at a later date.

Key Takeaways

  • A non-refundable down payment or earnest money to secure a purchase.
  • Category: Contracts
  • Related: Bay', Murabaha
  • Compare related Shariah-compliant products on HalalWallet
How to cite this page

Preferred format:

HalalWallet. “Arbun: Definition & Meaning in Islamic Finance.” HalalWallet, https://www.halalwallet.us/glossary/arbun. Accessed 2026-03-19.

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Sources and review process

This page is reviewed against HalalWallet editorial standards and source documentation.

Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team

Last reviewed: 2026-03-06

ZA
Zain Arshad

Co-Founder & CTO, HalalWallet

UA Labs Founder · 200+ Projects · Islamic Finance Specialist

Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial TeamLast reviewed: 2026-03-06Disclosure: Featured partners may compensate HalalWallet for clicks. Editorial policy and full disclosures.

Reviewed quarterly and updated for major content changes.

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