Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
I am thinking of starting a store. However, the wholesaler I would be dealing is owned by a company whose earnings used to be from the sale of alcoholic beverages. Now, they have sold these interests and are involved in other fields. Is it halal to deal with such a wholesaler?
Walaikum assalam,
1. As long as more than 50% of their current earnings of an individual or company are halal, it is permitted to deal with them. [Fatawa Hindiyya, Radd al-Muhtar]
2. If there is a significant amount of their earnings from unlawful sources, it is best not to deal with them if there is a reasonable alternative available. [ibid.]
3. It is outwardly permitted for non-Muslims to deal in alcohol and pork. Such earnings are considered lawful with respect to them and one can transact with them in other matters. (This is not true of Muslims, however, as is obvious.) [ibid.]
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.