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Muslims trading with other countries

Question

My question is regarding trade. As far as I know in Islam it is allowed to do trade with Christians, Jews (Book Holders) Today most of the Muslim countries do their businesses with Japan, Korea and those countries which are neither Jewish or Christian. Is this right? Secondly, the goods that Muslim country buy from these countries is sold in local markets. Are Muslim masses allowed to buy these goods?

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.

In principle, it is permissible for a Muslim to buy from Jews, Christians, polytheists and all other non-Muslims or to sell them goods within the limits of the Sharee’ah. However, any involvement in Riba (interest and/or usury), selling pork and the like are forbidden. Therefore, there is no harm to purchase their food, drinks, garments, means of transport, etc. as long as they do not contain any prohibition of the Islamic Sharee’ah.

Allaah Knows best.

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