Applying a visa for a person intending to do Haraam in his travels

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

In principle, it is prohibited to assist in committing sin. [i]

Allah Ta’ala says:

{وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ} [المائدة: 2] 

Translation: Assist each other in good works (virtue) and Taqwa (piety) and do not assist each other in sins and transgression (oppression and injustice). [Surah Ma’idah:2]  

This prohibition includes being a close means of committing a sin that actually leads one to commit a sin (سبب قريب محرك).

In the enquired situation, the travel agent’s function ends at getting a visa and issuing a ticket. If a traveller commits any sin, that will be his burden. The sinful person commits sin through his own will.

The sin of betting, etc, is not committed directly through the visa or ticket. It is unlike selling grapes to someone who will make alcohol with grapes. The visa or ticket is not converted to sin like alcohol is converted from grapes.

However, since we are averse to sinful activities, like betting, etc, if your friend avoids arranging a visa and ticket for a person concerning whom he knows that he will travel to do betting, then it will be an act of taqwa.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Muhammed Shafi

Student – Darul Iftaa

London, U.K. 

Checked and Approved by,

Mufti Ebrahim Desai.