Disturbed by what Muslims do in the UK
Fatwa No: 88607

Question

Please can you answer the following question.
I live in a 85% Muslim area, but I see a lot of things I disagree on.
Firstly, people are Muslims are selling pork in their shops and say that this is ok its business is this right and they have to please Christian customers.
Also I see many many Muslim brothers with beard and act as taxi drivers carrying women and also bringing them to pubs and clubs. Sometimes they are even alone in the taxies with them; surely this is all against Allaah.
I am convert and when I see this I feel really upset as not only are they bringing people to sin they themselves are getting sin all the time.Just because they live in UK it does not mean you can deal in pork or drink or bring people to sin. Am I right in this or is allowance made when you live in a non-Muslim country?

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.

 

What you mentioned about some Muslims selling pork and alcohol, and transporting women to bad places like bars and clubs, no doubt they are committing a prohibition. So, you are absolutely correct in your condemnation and becoming angry about these activities.

Being in a non-Muslim country does not make it permissible for a Muslim to transgress Allaah's limits and violate His commands. Allaah made forbidden selling pork and alcohol regardless of the place or time. Imaam Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported from Ibn 'Abbaas that he heard Allah's Apostle in the year of the conquest of Makkah, saying, "Allaah and His Apostle made illegal the trade of alcohol, dead animals, pigs and idols." The people asked, 'O Allah's Apostle! What about the grease of the dead animals, by which we may coat ships, smoothen skins and fuel our lamps (lanterns)?' He said, "No, it is prohibited." Allah's Apostle also said, "May Allah curse the Jews, for Allah made the fat of animals illegal for them, yet they melted the fat and sold it and ate its price."

There is no disagreement among scholars that trading in alcohol and pork is forbidden.

It is not allowed for taxi drivers to carry people to forbidden places since it is assisting in committing forbidden acts whilst Allaah says (interpretation of meaning): {And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty}[5:2].

So, we advise all Muslims who are involved in such sins to make sincere repentance before it is too late and to rush to please their Lord instead of pleasing the Christians about whom Allaah has said (interpretation of meaning): {They have certainly disbelieved who say, “Allah is the third of three." And there is no god except one God. And if they do not desist from what they are saying, there will surely afflict the disbelievers among them a painful punishment.}[5:73].

Finally, we draw the attention of our questioner sister that Islam can not be judged by the actions of Muslims, rather they are judged by the rulings of Islam. Only the Qur'aan, and the sound narrations of the Prophet represent true Islam.

Allaah knows best.

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