Her husband owns a liquor store

5-5-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am writing to find a religious answer for a Muslim woman married to American Muslim. He has a liquor store. When he became Muslim the Sheikh said it is ok for him to get his money back from this store because he had nothing else. As soon as he sells all the liquor he can start a different business. Now he has been a Muslim for two years and he says he is waiting for the contract to expire. First, he had to get the money he used to purchase this evil business, now the contract needs to expire? I do you think this man cares about being Muslim since he is taking that long to become completely clean? And if he waits the contract to end in October, do you think there is a problem with his being a Muslim? The money that the woman is being fed with till October is Haram money.
She is in real trouble she doesn’t know what to do, she doesn’t want to spent her life even a single night if its Haram. So please try answer this critical question. May Allah award you His Paradise.
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 sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

According to the view of all the Schools of jurisprudence, it is forbidden for this man to sell intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks and drugs). Moreover, a Muslim who has money obtained from intoxicants is obliged to spend it in charity, in the general interest of the Muslim community, or on the poor and needy people. 

 

However, if he himself is classified to be among the needy, then it is permissible for him to benefit from the money, but only to suffice his need. Therefore, the Fatwa which you mentioned in your question is not correct.

 

Besides, this person is obliged to get rid of the intoxicants which he has. Anyone who gives up something forbidden as a form of obedience to Allaah; Allaah will compensate him with something better and will provide him from sources and means which he would never imagined. Allaah Says (what means):

  • {… And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.} [Quran 65:2-3]
  • {And whoever fears Allaah -- He will make for him of his matter ease.} [Quran 65:4].

It is an obligation for one to think good of his/her fellow Muslim even if that Muslim committed some sins, and therefore, this woman should not doubt her husband's faith (i.e. being a Muslim). This is just a suspicion and it should not be taken into account.

 

In addition to this, it is forbidden for this wife to benefit from this ill-gotten money if she has other lawful money. However, if she is forced to (i.e. she can not find any lawful money), then it becomes permissible for her to take from the ill-gotten money to suffice her basic needs only, and she is obliged to seek a lawful source of income.

 

Finally, if her husband does not repent from this sin, then she should ask for divorce.

 

Allaah Knows best.

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