Abstract Purpose – The study aims to provide insight into some critical aspects that need to be evaluated for successful Islamic lending-based crowdfunding platforms. It also aims to provide a deep understanding of the use of Islamic financial transactions pertaining to Islamic lending-based crowdfunding. Methodology – This paper uses a qualitative method which is more appropriate with the objective of the study as it does not require any statistical analyses. The paper is based on document analysis and a comparison approach between of two Islamic lending-based platforms "KapitalBoost in Singapore and Beehive in Dubai" from the Shari'ah perspective. These two are considered the most active platforms of Islamic lending-based model.  Findings – Basically there are three contractual relationships in the underlying contracts of Islamic lending-based platform "sale, Tawarruq and agency-based". Some Shari'ah issues rise: the relationship of the platform with the parties, responsibility of Shari'ah compliance during lending period and other Shari'ah issues related to the underlying contracts. Originality/value – The study highlights several issues in Islamic lending-based platforms in terms of operational, regulatory and Shari'ah issues. The paper also contributes significantly in providing the literatures of Islamic lending-based crowdfunding as an emerging issue from the social finance aspect.  Keywords: crowdfunding, lending-based, Islamic lending-based, contract, KapitalBoost, Beehive.