Question
Our colony members have formed their own organization and collect one thousand rupees monthly from each household. However, there are two houses in the colony that belong to Ahmadis. Is it permissible to collect the specified amount from them? The collected money is used for the salaries of the watchmen and the mosque’s imam, as well as other welfare activities in the colony.
Also, what is the opinion on doing business with non-Muslims and Ahmadis due to the unjust profiteering by Muslims?
Answer
It is clear that it is permissible to collect maintenance from the residents of a building or colony and spend it on the collective needs of the colony. Therefore, in the situation at hand, collecting one thousand rupees from each household for the colony’s maintenance (whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim) is permissible according to Islamic law. However, since the Qadianis are considered apostates and heretics, it is not permissible to seek any financial assistance from them. Thus, using the funds collected for the colony’s joint maintenance for the needs of the mosque (such as salaries for the Imam, Muezzin, and caretakers, or the mosque’s electricity bill) is prohibited, as accepting financial assistance from them would grant them respect, and non-Muslims are not deserving of such honor. Moreover, by donating for the mosque’s expenses, the Qadianis would mislead simple-minded Muslims into thinking they are Muslims, which is detrimental. Therefore, it is better not to use any donations collected from Qadianis in the mosque’s expenses.
Engaging in transactions and establishing business relationships with general non-Muslims is permissible, provided that it does not harm Muslims in either religious or worldly matters. However, it is not permissible to have any form of relationship with Qadianis who claim to be Muslims but are, in fact, apostates and disbelievers, whether it be in the form of buying and selling or otherwise.
In a previous fatwa from the university, which has been verified by the Grand Mufti of Pakistan, Mufti Wali Hassan Khan, it is stated:
“In the current situation, providing aid to a Qadiani is entirely futile because the Holy Quran states: ‘Their deeds have been rendered void’ (Surah At-Tawbah). The Qadiani, who is a warring disbeliever and sees himself as Muslim despite being non-Muslim, considers other Muslims as disbelievers. Through this aid, he encourages others towards Qadianism; therefore, it is not permissible for any Muslim to accept help from this irreligious Qadiani, as doing so would give him respect, and a disbeliever is not worthy of honor.”
Written by: Shafiq-ur-Rahman. Answer Approved: Wali Hassan, Abu Bakr Saeed.
In the explanation of Sahih al-Bukhari by Ibn Battal, it is mentioned:
“Buying and selling from all disbelievers is permissible, except that nothing should be sold to those at war who would use it to harm Muslims, such as arms and ammunition.”
(Following the chapter on business transactions with polytheists and enemies, Vol. 6, p. 338; Maktabah Al-Rashid)
In Fatawa Hindiah, it states:
“If an apostate sells or buys, it will depend on whether he is killed on account of his apostasy, or dies, or joins the land of war; if so, his actions will be void. If he converts to Islam, his sale will be valid.”
(Book of Sales, Chapter 12 on the rules of suspended sales and transactions of one partner, Vol. 3, p. 154; Dar Al-Fikr)
In Kifayat al-Mufti, it is stated:
“If you want to protect the faith from fitnah, you should sever ties with the Qadianis. Maintaining relationships with them, mingling with them, which affects one’s faith and beliefs, is prohibited.”
(Vol. 1, p. 365; Dar Al-Isha’at)
Only Allah knows best.