Question:
ASSALAMUALAIKUM
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE ANSWER OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTION
Q:- I WANT TO SELL MALT IN MY SHOP, BUT ACCORDING TO MY FRIENDS I CAN’T BECAUSE PEOPLE MAKE BEER FROM IT.IS HE RIGHT? IF ANSWER IS YES THEN WHAT ABOUT BROWN SUGAR, MAIZE MEAL, CHOPS FOR CATTLE ETC. THEY CAN ALSO MAKE BEER FROM IT.
Answer:
It will be permissible to sell malt because as much as it is used to make beer it is also used to make vinegar, etc. If every such Halaal product which is used to produce Haraam also was declared as Haraam to sell then dates, grapes, etc which is also use to produce wine would also be declared as Haraam to sell.
However it will be Makrooh (odious) to sell malt, etc to such a person, especially a Muslim, regarding who it is known that he will most certainly use it for producing Haraam. (Raddul Muhtaar, Vol. 5, Page 276-277, Fataawaa Rahimiyyah, Vol. 2, Page 221)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best,
Qasim bin Hashim Limbada
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
06 March 2004
14 Muharram 1425