Question Summary:
A specific lease agreement

Question Detail:

Asalamualaikum WRBT
I gave a business property on a lease to a person in March 2012 running an asian indian restaurant.  We agreed that he could not sell alcohol...however he is now asking for permission for an alcohol license as he says business is really bad and his customers are mainly english and come to indian restaurants for wine and drink...
should I allow him or ask him to terminate the lease?  what should i do?
 
I would very much appreciate your advice
 
Jazak Allah 

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
According to Imam Abu Haneefah (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), it is permissible for a one to rent one’s property to a non-Muslim for the purposes of running a church, synagogue or even selling wine. Imam Abu Haneefah (Rahmatullahi Alayhi)’s viewpoint is based on the premise that one is merely renting out the usufruct of one’s asset/equity to a non-Muslim. One is neither responsible nor accountable for the unlawful actions of a non-Muslim.
However, according to Imam Muhammed (Rahmatullahi Alayhi), Imam Abu Yusuf (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) and the other three A’immah (Leading Religious Scholars), it is not permissible for the lessor to rent out his property for such purposes.[1]
The main issue of discussion is I’anah alal Ma’siyah (assisting in sin). The Fuqaha have differed regarding the classification of “Assisting in Sin”.
The ideal ruling would be that one does not rent out one’s property for such purposes. If one has Taqwa, firm Eemaan and courage, one should abstain from such an arrangement.
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) says:
وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ
“And do not assist one another in sin” (Qur’an 5:2)
If one is in financial constraints and would experience difficulty by terminating the rent agreement with such a client, then one will be excused to continue renting out the property.
Kindly refer to the following link for more details on renting out one’s property to non-Muslims: http://daruliftaa.net/Islamic-Finance/rentproperty.html[2]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best                                       
Ismail Desai,
Student Darul Iftaa
Durban, South Africa
Checked and Concurred by,
Moulana Abdul Azeem Bin Abdul Rahmaan
Student Darul Iftaa
USA