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Ruling on investing in Internet cafes

05-03-2009

Question 112137

What is the ruling on investing and trading in Internet cafes, even though I do not know whether a user will go to beneficial sites or to harmful and haraam sites? There are chat programs in which people can get to know one another, and that often takes place between the sexes, and there may be exchange of indecent pictures, movies and songs through it.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

If these computers may be used to access reprehensible and false things that are detrimental to Islamic beliefs or through which people will look at indecent images and movies and stories, or engage in dubious conversations or haraam games, and the owner of the cafe cannot prevent these evils or cannot control these computers, then in that case it is haraam to deal in what has been mentioned, because that is helping in sin and transgression, and Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says in His Holy Book (interpretation of the meaning):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”

[al-Maa’idah 5:2]

And Allaah is the source of strength. may Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions. End quote. 

The Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas 

Investment Ruling on jobs
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