Sunday, 5 April 2026 (17 Shawwal 1447 AH)
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[Leasing Land to One Who Will Use It as a Market Where Sins May Occur]

Date: 2026/02/14
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Question: A man wishes to lease land to someone who will use it as a market, and he fears that sins may occur in that market. Is it permissible for him to lease it nonetheless? knowing he is resolved to prevent sins if they occur and is able to prevent them.

Answer—and Allah grants success: I see no impediment to permitting that. What is impermissible is to lease it to someone who will use it specifically for selling wine, or as a venue for dancing and singing. As for what is mentioned in the question, there is no barrier—even if it is certain that some sins will occur, as is customary in markets (such as fraud, lying in sales, false oaths, theft, and obscene speech).
In sum: if the leasing is for the purpose of a sinful act, it is impermissible; if it is for some other lawful purpose, it is permissible—even if sin later occurs incidentally, that does not harm (the ruling).
Source: Min Thimār al-ʿIlm wa al-Ḥikmah vol.2