Fatwa ID: 06577
Answered by: Muftiyah Habiba Akhtar
Question:
I started the business AMWAY a couple of months ago which is basically a Network Marketing business. I didn’t know much information about it when I started but when I reached out to my circle in order to grow my business I got to know that normally Network Marketing business model is not Halal and it involves Riba (sood) in it.
I don’t want to get involved in such a business which may have Riba that is completely forbidden from Allah (swt).
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
As dutiful Muslims, it is vital that the importance of Halal earnings is grasped. The Shariah law has laid out which one may deal with and which is impermissible to deal with.
Allah SWT says:
“Eat of what is lawful and pure in the earth, and do not follow in Satan’s steps.”
[2:168] (1)
The words ‘Eat of what is lawful’ pertains to consuming good and halal wealth.
Why must our earnings be pure?
Our wealth assists in our sustenance, provision and our consumption. If the root of our wealth is Haram, then that which follows will be evil.
It is stated in Hadith:
‘Abdallah b. Mas’ud reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Trying to earn a lawful livelihood is an obligatory duty in addition to the duties which are obligatory.”
(Mishkatul Miasabih, 2781) (2)
Moreso, Riba (interest) has been strictly forbidden by Allah SWT which is understood from the following verse:
“O believers, take not doubled and redoubled interest and fear God so that you may prosper. Fear the fire which has been prepared for those who reject faith, and obey God and the Prophet so that you may receive mercy.”
(Al Imran, Verse 130-132) (3)
Thus, we can consolidate that dealing with interest is strictly forbidden, i.e Haram.
Now that you’ve decided to step away from your interest-based business, the aim is to return the interest to whoever it came from if that is doable otherwise spend the earnings on charity. (4)
Only Allah knows the best
Written by Muftiyah Habiba Akhtar
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
1)
(یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا فِی ٱلۡأَرۡضِ حَلَـٰلࣰا طَیِّبࣰا وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَ ٰتِ ٱلشَّیۡطَـٰنِۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمۡ عَدُوࣱّ مُّبِینٌ)
[Surah Al-Baqarah 168]
2)
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «طَلَبُ كَسْبِ الْحَلَالِ فَرِيضَةٌ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ»
(Mishkatul Masabih, 2781)
3)
(یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَأۡكُلُوا۟ ٱلرِّبَوٰۤا۟ أَضۡعَـٰفࣰا مُّضَـٰعَفَةࣰۖ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ)
[Surah Aal-E-Imran 130]
(وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِیۤ أُعِدَّتۡ لِلۡكَـٰفِرِینَ)
[Surah Aal-E-Imran 131]
(وَأَطِیعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ)
[Surah Aal-E-Imran 132]
(4)
ويردونها على أربابها إن عرفوهم ، وإلا تصدقوا بها لأن سبيل الكسب الخبيث التصدق إذا تعذر الرد على صاحبه
Raddul Mukhtar, Vol 6, page 385, HM Saeed
