[Q 391] Ruling on Renting a Vehicle to an Alcohol Factory

Question:

Can I rent out my vehicle to a factory that produces alcohol?

بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم

الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایة الحق والصواب

ANSWER

It is permissible to rent your vehicle to such a company because the primary purpose of a vehicle is the transportation of people or goods, which is inherently permissible. If the company uses the vehicle to transport alcohol or for other purposes (such as transporting workers or other goods), that is their action, which has nothing to do with the vehicle owner in any way.

For example, jurists have allowed renting a house to a sinful person, even though there is a possibility that the tenant may commit sins in the house. These actions, however, are the personal deeds of the tenant and not connected to the homeowner.

However, if at the time of renting, the vehicle owner rents with intention of assisting in sin (e.g., transporting and loading alcohol), they will definitely bear the sin for this intention, despite this, the rent received remains lawful and permissible, because the rent was in exchange for the benefit of using the vehicle.

In regard to assisting in sinful actions Allah Almighty says:

وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللهَ اِنَّ اللهَ شَدِیْدُ الْعِقَابِ

Translation: “And do not help each other in sin and transgression and be mindful of Allah. Indeed, Allah is severe in retribution.”

(Quran, Part 6, Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayah 2)

Allah also says:

وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِّزْرَ اُخْرٰى

Translation: “And no bearer of burdens shall bear the burden of another.”

(Quran, Part 22, Surah Fatir, Ayah 18)

Scholarly References

Imam Burhanuddin Ibn Mazah Al-Hanafi رحمة اللہ علیه writes regarding renting to people who commit impermissible actions:

“وإذا استأجر الذمي من المسلم دارا لیسکنھا فلا بأس بذلک لأن الإجارۃ وقعت علی أمر مباح فجازت، وإن شرب فیھا الخمر أو عبد فیھا الصلیب أو أدخل فیھا الخنازیر لم یلحق المسلم فی ذلک شیء لأن المسلم لم یؤاجر لھا إنما یؤاجر للسکنی، وکان بمنزلة ما لو آجر دارا من فاسق کان مباحا وإن کان یعصی فیھا.”

(al-Muheet al-Burhani, Book of Rentals, Vol. 7, Page 483, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut)

Allama Ibn Abidin Shami رحمة اللہ علیه states:

“والدلیل علیہ أنه لو آجرہ للسکنی جاز وھو لا بد من عبادته فیه.”

(Radd-ul-Muhtar, Vol. 9, Book of Hazr wal Ibaha,, Beirut, Page 562, Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah)

Imam Ahmed Rida Khan رحمة اللہ علیه was asked that is a Muslim allowed to rent out his house for the sale or consumption of alcohol. He replied:

“If a Muslim rents out a house his purpose lies in earning rent, and actions are based on intentions, why would he intend to give it so that alcohol may be consumed and sold within it. In this scenario, the rent is lawful, and there is no harm in eating at his house. However, if the intention is to support such haram acts, he himself will become sinful.”

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 19, Page 501, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

Mufti Amjad Ali Azami رحمة اللہ علیه was asked whether a shop could be rented out to a photographer. He replied:

“It is permissible to rent out a shop to such a person, however it shouldn’t be given by saying “use it for taking pictures”. Now it is his own action that he makes images and brings upon himself the punishment of the Hereafter.. However, it is better to rent to someone engaged in lawful work.”

(Fatawa Amjadiyyah, Vol. 3, Page 272, Maktaba Ridawiyyah, Karachi)

Answered by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated answer

Date: 15th December 2024