Renting property to people who have Haraam activities

26-5-2005 | IslamWeb

Question:

We live in a non-Muslim country. My brother has a restaurant where Halaal food is served. Often Christians come to my brother with an offer to rent them the restaurant for a day for their needs (weddings, birthday parties, etc.). It is known that during their parties alcohol is drunk, however, they bring alcohol with them. Is it permissible to rent them the restaurant for their needs with knowledge that they will hold in it weddings, birthday parties, etc. and that they will drink in it alcohol which they bring with them and eat our Halaal food? Is money taken from such renting Halaal? Could you let us know the Daleel and what our Muslim scholars say about this?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

In principle dealings in return for money like renting and trading between a Muslim and a non-Muslim are permissible provided such dealings meet the religious requirements. However, if such dealings lead to evil [sin] or something forbidden then they are not permissible. 

There is no doubt that the celebrations of non-Muslims are not free from sins like the presence of women scantily dressed, drinking intoxicants and so forth. So renting the restaurant to them is in a way helping them in sin, so it is not permissible. Allaah says (which means): {Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment.}[Quran 5:2]. It is for this reason that the jurists may Allaah have mercy upon them stated that renting is not permissible if it brings a forbidden profit. Al-Hajjaawi may Allaah have mercy upon him from the Hanbali school said: 'Rent is not permissible if it yields a forbidden profit, like adultery and fornication, music, singing, turning the property into a church or selling intoxicants.'

Allaah knows best.

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