Question:
My property has been rented out to a muslim man who has opened a restaurant. The restaurant also sells alcohol as the customer base is predominantly non- muslism.
Is it permissible for me to rent out to such a person knowing that he will be doing such things or am I obliged to terminate my contract?
Is the rental I am receiving halaal?
Answer:
If the majority of the tenant’s items and activities are permissible then renting out the property to him will be permissible and the income will be permissible, and if the majority of the tenant’s items and activities are impermissible, then renting out the property to him will be impermissible and the income will be tainted.
See (Fatawa Mahmudiya: 25/146-147, Maktabah Mahmudiya).
Therefore, in the enquired scenario, although it is sinful for the Muslim restaurant owner to serve alcohol on his premises, as long as the majority of food and drink served there are Halaal, renting the premises to him and utilizing the income will be permissible. However, you as the landlord, should advise the restaurant owner to desist from selling alcohol to its customers as such an action does not behove a Muslim.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
(وَ) جَازَ (إجَارَةُ بَيْتٍ بِسَوَادِالْكُوفَةِ) أَيْ قُرَاهَا (لَا بِغَيْرِهَا عَلَى الْأَصَحِّ) وَأَمَّاالْأَمْصَارُ وَقُرَى غَيْرِ الْكُوفَةِ فَلَا يُمَكَّنُونَ لِظُهُورِ شِعَارِالْإِسْلَامِ فِيهَا وَخُصَّ سَوَادُ الْكُوفَةِ، لِأَنَّ غَالِبَ أَهْلِهَاأَهْلُ الذِّمَّةِ (لِيُتَّخَذَ بَيْتَ نَارٍ أَوْ كَنِيسَةً أَوْ بِيعَةً أَوْيُبَاعَ فِيهِ الْخَمْرُ) وَقَالَا لَا يَنْبَغِي ذَلِكَ لِأَنَّهُ إعَانَةٌ عَلَىالْمَعْصِيَةِ وَبِهِ قَالَتْ الثَّلَاثَةُ زَيْلَعِيٌّ.(الدر المختار (مع حاشيةابن عابدين) دار الفكر-بيروت الطبعة: الثانية – ج 6/ص 392)