Journal of Islamic Law Research

Journal of Islamic Law Research

The Concept, Validity, and General Conditions of Electronic Contracts in Iranian and Emirati Law: A Reflection within Islamic Jurisprudential Schools

Type : Review Article

Authors
Mahdi Sajadikia 1
Ghafoor Khoeini 2
Alireza Salehifar 3
1 PhD Student in Private Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Private Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Department of Private Law, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran.
10.30497/law.2025.248182.3764
Abstract
 ‌‌Context & Objective: This article addresses the concept, validity, and general conditions governing electronic contracts in the legal systems of Iran and the United Arab Emirates, situating the analysis within the jurisprudential traditions of Islamic schools of thought. The study responds to the growing significance of electronic contracts in an era of expanding digital commerce and transnational transactions. Despite the enactment of Iran’s Electronic Commerce Law in 2003, the jurisprudential basis for the legitimacy of such contracts remains underexplored. The central research question concerns how Iranian and Emirati law, grounded in Shia and other Islamic jurisprudential schools, conceptualize and regulate electronic contracts, and to what extent these frameworks align or diverge in theory and practice.
 ‌Method & Approach: The study employs a doctrinal research methodology combined with a comparative legal approach. It reviews the foundational principles of contract law in both Iran and the UAE, assessing their applicability to electronic contracts. Through comparative analysis, the article examines statutory frameworks alongside jurisprudential reasoning derived from Shia and other Islamic schools, with the aim of clarifying the scope, requirements, and legal recognition of electronic contracts in the two systems.
 ‌Findings: The analysis reveals that Iranian and Emirati legal systems share a common foundation regarding the general conditions of contractual validity, such as consent, legal capacity, lawful subject matter, and compliance with formal requirements. Nevertheless, the adaptation of these conditions to electronic contracts introduces notable distinctions in application, particularly concerning modes of expression and evidentiary standards. The findings also demonstrate that Islamic jurisprudential principles exhibit a degree of flexibility, enabling them to accommodate modern mechanisms of contract formation, including electronic data exchanges and digital platforms, without undermining their doctrinal integrity.
 ‌Conclusion: The study concludes that the convergence of Islamic jurisprudential principles with contemporary legal requirements facilitates the effective regulation of electronic contracts within Iranian and Emirati legal systems. While both frameworks recognize the legitimacy of such contracts, their practical implementation reflects nuanced differences in interpretation and procedure. This alignment between traditional jurisprudence and modern commerce contributes to the evolution of regulatory and legislative models in Islamic countries, enhancing the capacity of legal systems to address the demands of digital economies.
Keywords
General Principles of Contract Law
Electronic Contract
Electronic Commerce
Comparative Islamic Jurisprudence
Subjects
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  • Received 03 May 2025
  • Accepted 02 July 2025