Starting a HALAL business?

[00001001]

Assalamualaikum,


I've had this on my mind for the last couple of days. My question is, is if it's even possible to start a halal business in the west. The thing that started this whole train wreck in my mind was an fatwa-ish article stating that if you want to start the business, you need to make sure that you don't help someone in sin (e.g. selling tight clothing for men/women, knowing that they also wear it outside).

The reason I want to know is because I want to start a business myself, but if you think about it, EVERYTHING turns haram. Selling refrigerator in the west? Can't do that, people most likely will store things that are haram (e.g. pork). Same goes for phones, TV and even the internet for obvious reasons. Even teaching an American programming could technically be sinful with that thought.

The thing my mind tells me is to simply start a business, even if the chance is high that it will be used for something haram, as I am not a police men that enforces these kind of rules and since trade is allowed in Islam.

[M.I.A.]

You have to use your common sense..

Some items are more open to abuse.

So you have to take that into account if you sell those items or provide those services..

If you change the way you sell things, you change your target demographic..

If you have an open door policy then you have to be adaptable or ridged.

Everyone should be in business at least once, preferably several times..

It is often the life changing experience.

Its an extremely challenging way to live.

Or rewarding.. but it will take up a lot of your thought and time.

And if you dont ask the right questions you may aswell be doing something else.


..do the clothes make the man?

No thats a silly thing to say..

But ultimately within the confines of business much can be learned.

3 years selling desserts here, absolute nightmare lol..

I have been found lacking i suppose.

But ultimately why does one start a business?

..always 2 sides of a coin..
..
..
...just dont go around turning water into wine..

People will get upset!

No place in the world for idealism, only problem solving and progress.

Nobody ever has an original thought anyway.. so lets not let it get complicated..


I had to stop going dominos pizza..

One of the muslims that worked at the place said it was haram.. cross contamination..

Hard to make vegetarian pizzas haram.

But i had to stop.

..its strange because they have the capability to provide seperate workspaces and storage spaces.

Not exactly the change i was hoping for but Alhamdulillah..

The 2nd one was usually gluten free anyway.

[*charisma*]

Walaikum Asalaam,

The reason I want to know is because I want to start a business myself, but if you think about it, EVERYTHING turns haram. Selling refrigerator in the west? Can't do that, people most likely will store things that are haram (e.g. pork). Same goes for phones, TV and even the internet for obvious reasons. Even teaching an American programming could technically be sinful with that thought.

Unless you are 100% sure that individual will use something halal for something haram because he himself or his character tells you that he will, then you should not sell to this person. However, to sell the halal item does not make the business haram.

This link may be insightful https://islamqa.info/en/34674

[00001001]

The link was quite helpful. Thank you for that.

However, the article assumes that the customers are Muslims. My customer base will be mostly non-muslims (initially), so what if the customer is not a Muslim?

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[Juliana M]

Starting a Halal Business, and make sure all processes run with halal rules. May Allah make easy your business.. Good luck..

[Supernova]

Assalamualaikum,


I've had this on my mind for the last couple of days. My question is, is if it's even possible to start a halal business in the west. The thing that started this whole train wreck in my mind was an fatwa-ish article stating that if you want to start the business, you need to make sure that you don't help someone in sin (e.g. selling tight clothing for men/women, knowing that they also wear it outside).

The reason I want to know is because I want to start a business myself, but if you think about it, EVERYTHING turns haram. Selling refrigerator in the west? Can't do that, people most likely will store things that are haram (e.g. pork). Same goes for phones, TV and even the internet for obvious reasons. Even teaching an American programming could technically be sinful with that thought.

The thing my mind tells me is to simply start a business, even if the chance is high that it will be used for something haram, as I am not a police men that enforces these kind of rules and since trade is allowed in Islam.

Asalaamualaykum

You would have to document all your plans regarding the business and send it to a Mufti. Islamic economics is a VERY complicated issue and from nearly all Aalims I have spoken to, its the one topic they find difficult even in their studies.

There is no person on practically any forum that can give a Halaal answer from just the simplicity of your question as it might entail other issues that render the business Haraam.

If you are serious about really wanting to continue this business then the only way you going to get it 100% Halaal is either by documenting every fact you can and contacting an Aalim OR Speak to an Aalim face to face. It will also be advisable to find a local Aalim as he will be more in touch with the National Law.

Asking the question you are asking now is similar to someone asking to explain the laws of inheritance online.

Wasalaam.