Today a brother sent me a link to a statement of the Mujaddid and Imaam Shaikh Al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah) where he talks of financial dealings with those who at war with the Muslims.
In the previous article I mentioned the chapter heading of Imaam al-Bukhaaree wherein he stated: “Chapter: Buying and Selling with the Mushrikeen (the Pagans) and with the Enemies of War.” I followed this up with the statement of Ibn Battaal as quoted by Ibn Hajr (rahimahullaah) wherein he stated:
“Having dealings and trading with the Kuffaar is permissible except that it is not permitted to sell to the enemies of war a product which can aid them against the Muslims.” (Vol. 4 of Fat-hul-Baaree).
Today I heard the words of Shaikh Al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah). The audio source is here http://www.alalbany.net/2183# followed by a transcript of the audio, so I have translated it for benefit:
السؤال الثاني: شيخنا بما أن الحرب قائمة بيننا وبين اليهود ، هل يجوز شراء من اليهود ، والعمل عندهم في بلد أوروبا ؟.الشيخ: الشراء من اليهود ؟.السائل: نعم ، والعمل عندهم في بلد أوروبا يعني ؟.الشيخ: نحن لا نفرق بين اليهود ، والنصارى من حيث التعامل معهم في تلك البلاد ، مع الكفار والمشركين إذا كانوا ذميين ، أهل ذمة ، يستوطنون بلاد الإسلام فهو أمر معروف جوازه.وكذلك إذا كانوا مسالمين ،غير محاربين أيضاً حكمه هوهو،أما إذا كانوا محاربين ، فلا يجوز التعامل معهم ، سواء كانوا في الأرض التي احتلوها كاليهود في فلسطين ، أو كانوا في أرضهم ، ما داموا أنهم لنا من المحاربين، فلا يجوز التعامل معهم إطلاقاً. أما من كان مسالماً كما قلنا ، فهو على الأصل جائز.
Shaikh Al-Albaanee was asked: Since there is war between between us and the Jews [of Israel], is it permitted to buy from the Jews and to have dealings with them in Europe?
The Shaikh asks: Buying from the Jews?
Questioner: Yes, and dealing with them in the lands of Europe?
Shaikh Al-Albaanee: We do not make a distinction between the Jews and the Christians as it relates to dealings with them in those lands – and with the disbelievers and the idolators from Dhimmees (non-Muslims residing in the Muslim lands under protection) – then it is well known that it is permitted to have dealings with them. Likewise is the case with those who are at peace and not in a state of war.
However, if they are at war, then it is not permitted to have dealings with them, regardless of whether it is in the country they have invaded such as the Jews in Palestine, or in their own land – so long as they are at war, it is not permitted at all to have dealings with them.
As for those who are at peace as we have stated, then that is upon the origin, which is that it is permissible.
I made the point in my lecture on the subject, the affairs of turmoil must be referred to the scholars, not decided on our behalf by political agitators from the al-Ikhwaan al-Muslimeen who write lists of supermarkets and companies that must be abandoned by every Muslim without any recourse to the Scholars.
Shaikh Ubaid al-Jaabiree (hafidhahullaah) stated:
“Noble Shaykh, if we are aware that our leader has not commanded us to boycott Danish products and at the same time he never prohibited us from this. Is it permissible for me personally, in defence of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wassallam), to boycott their goods, as I know that they will suffer a loss as a result this boycott?”
The noble Shaikh answered:
This issue warrants a detailed (answer). Firstly, If the leader commands (the people) to boycott (the products) of a certain country, then it is obligatory upon everyone to boycott them, because this is in their interests, it will harm the enemy and it is obeying the ruler. However, if the leader never commanded (the people to) boycott (these products), then it is at a persons own discretion. It is his choice whether he chooses to boycott or not.
Source Sahab.net, translated on Salafitalk.net
So the affair returns back to the scholars and the rulers, not to young Ikhwaanees and agitators to compel the Muslims to abandon a whole host of companies and supermarkets that in actuality are NOT Israeli (or Jewish) at all, and nor are they at war with the Muslims. Throughout my lecture I mention the affair of returning back to the Scholars in times of calamity or turmoil, and to the command of the rulers.
Walhamdulillaah.
