Is renting out my car halal?

Yes, renting out your car is halal. Charging money for the use of something you own is a lease (ijarah), one of the oldest permitted contracts in Islam. Keep the terms clear, avoid renting to people you know will use it for something haram, and handle insurance and finance carefully.

Renting is a recognised Islamic contract

In Islamic law, ijarah means selling the use of an asset for a fixed fee while you keep ownership. Renting a house, a tool or a car all fall under it. The Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr themselves hired a guide for their journey to Madinah (Sahih al-Bukhari 2263), and scholars of all four schools agree that leasing goods and services is allowed. So listing your car on Turo, Getaround or a local rental app, or renting it to a friend for a weekend, is fine in principle.

Make the terms clear

A valid lease needs a known car, a known period and a known price. Spell out mileage limits, fuel, cleaning and late-return fees before handing over the keys. Islam asks you to honour the agreements you make:

Set fees in advance. Agreed charges for extra days or extra miles are part of the rent and are fine.
Damage. The renter pays for damage caused by misuse or negligence, not for normal wear, which is the owner's responsibility.
Maintenance. As owner, you keep the car safe and roadworthy.

Who you rent to and what for

You aren't responsible for every trip a renter takes, but you shouldn't knowingly help with sin. If someone tells you they want the car to deliver alcohol or for something clearly haram, decline. The Quran gives the rule:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ "...And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." Quran 5:2

For ordinary renters on an app, you can assume normal use.

Finance and insurance

If the car is on an interest loan, renting it out doesn't make the rent haram, but the loan itself is a separate problem to fix. Check your finance terms too, since many agreements forbid renting out.
If it's leased, you usually can't sublet it without the lessor's permission. See Is leasing a car halal?
Insurance is legally required and is covered by the necessity rules many scholars apply. See Is car insurance haram?

Zakat on rental income

You don't pay zakat on the car itself if you keep it to rent out, only on the savings from its income once they meet the threshold. See Do I pay zakat on my business?

Key points

Renting out your car is a permitted lease (ijarah).
Agree on period, price and fees in advance.
Don't knowingly rent for a haram purpose.
Check finance, lease and insurance rules first.

Tip: Take dated photos of the car before and after each rental. It protects you and the renter, avoids arguments over damage, and keeps your dealings fair on both sides.