We have a premises that is being rented out to a non muslim

Ref no: 0323#

Category

Money Matters

Title

We have a premises that is being rented out to a non muslim

Question

Can you please give me the Shariah ruling regarding the following:

We have a premises that is being rented out to a non muslim, who is operating a take away/supermarket/video shop from that premises. What is the shariah ruling regarding the income received from that premises considering that the food is definitely not halaal and the issue of the video shop. We donot have a formal lease with the tenant and if the income is deemed haraam according to shariah, what is the best way forward. If the rental is deemed harram, can this income be used to pay of ones taxes.

Answer

Muhtaram / Muhtaramah

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāh wa-barakātuh.

The food being sold on the premises will be Haram in respect to Muslims but in respect to the non-Muslims, in their religion such food is permissible for them; therefore a Muslim is permitted to rent out such premises which will enable non-Muslims to sell their food to one another.

ولو استأجر ذمي دارا من مسلم فاتخذ فيها مصلى لنفسه لم يمنع فإن جمع الجماعة وضرب الناقوس فلصاحبها منعه، ولو أراد بيع الخمر فيها فإن كان في السواد لا يمنع (البحر الرائق 8:21 مكتبة رشبدية)

In reference to the video shop, there is the possibility that he is selling or renting illicit and pornographic movies which are impermissible according to their religion as well; therefore, in principle, this will not be permissible. However, from the information that you have provided, we have deduced that you leased out your premises to the tenant merely upon the general usage of the premise itself without discussing or coming to any sort of agreement with him in regards to his activities on the premises. Therefore, considering the fact that it is not known for certain that he is selling or renting pornographic movies and considering the fact that he is responsible for his own actions, you will not be held responsible or accountable and your rental fees which are solely in lieu of your premises will be permissible. Had the usage of the premises for a video shop that sells or rents illicit and pornographic films been agreed upon in the contract by you and the tenant then this would have been considered as assisting in sin which is forbidden by the following Quranic verse, “Assist one another in good and piety and do not assist one another in sin and aggression.” (5:2)

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

If you are certain that he is selling or renting such illicit movies, as a landlord, you have the right to voice your discontent and forbid him from it. If he continues to sell such material without your consent and cognizance, you will not be held accountable and your fees will still be permissible for you.

استأجر ذمي من مسلم بيعة ليصلي فيها لم يجز ؛ لأنه استئجار لفعل المعصية وكذا لو استأجر ذمي من ذمي لما قلنا ولو استأجر الذمي دارا من مسلم وأراد أن يصلي فيها من غير جماعة أو يتخذها مصلى للعامة فقد ذكرنا حكمه فيما تقدم……..غير أن الذمي إن استأجر دارا من مسلم في المصر فأراد أن يتخذها مصلى للعامة ويضرب فيها بالناقوس له ذلك ، ولرب الدار وعامة المسلمين أن يمنعوه من ذلك على طريق الحسبة لما فيه من إحداث شعائر لهم وفيه تهاون بالمسلمين ( البدائع الصنائع 4:40 دار الكتب ديوبند)

يعني جاز إجارة البيت لكافر ليتخذ معبدا أو بيت نار للمجوس أو يباع فيه خمر في السواد وهذا قول الامام. وقالا: يكره كل ذلك لقوله تعالى * (وتعاونوا على البر والتقوى ولا تعاونوا على الاثم والعدوان) * (المائدة: 2) وله أن الاجارة على منفعة البيت ولهذا تجب الاجرة بمجرد التسليم ولا معصية فيه، وإنما المعصية بفعل المستأجر وهو مختار فيه فقطع نسبة ذلك إلى المؤجر (البحر الرائق 8:202 مكتبة رشبدية)

And Allah knows best
Darul Iftaa

Madrasah Inaa’miyyah