Question:
Assalaamu Alaikum
Can you advise if Trinidad’s KFC sends funding to Israel and whether we should continue to support purchasing from this Company?
Jazakallah Khair
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Our Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine are being massacred at the hands of the enemies of Islaam. Masajid, hospitals and the entire country is being destroyed. It is incumbent on every Muslim that we feel the pain and sadness for their plight.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The parable of the believers in their affection, mercy, and compassion for each other is that of a body. When any limb aches, the whole body reacts with sleeplessness and fever.” (Sahih al Bukhari 6011)
The sanctity of Masjidul Aqsa and Palestine is matched only by Makkah and Madinah. In the Qur’ān there are many verses implying that the Land of Palestine, the city of Jerusalem, the entire environs are set apart as blessed, as they have received special divine blessings. The land around Masjid Al-Aqsa is referred to 70 times as the blessed land in the Qur’ān.
There is not a single inch in Al-Quds where a Nabi of Allah Ta’ala has not performed salaah or an angel has not stood”. [Tirmidhi]
Our fervent Du’ās goes out to the Muslims of Palestine and other parts of the world. May Allāh Ta’ālā grant them freedom from oppression. May Allāh Ta’ālā free Al-Masjid al-Aqsā from the clutches of the disbelievers! The sanctity of Palestine will remain deep in the heart of each believer, irrespective of attempts to wipe it from the memories of the Muslims.
It is incumbent upon every Muslim to do whatever is in their capacity to assist the Muslims there.
Abdullah ibn Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) relates, I asked Rasulullah ﷺ, “Tell us the law about (visiting) Baytul-Maqdis. Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Go and perform salaah there. If you cannot visit and perform salaah there, then send some oil to be used in the lamps (of the Musjid).” [Bukhaari].
A Muslim should not trade with those at war with Islaam in any way that strengthens them in their war, and assists them in fighting the Muslims. Purchasing their products will obviously assist the enemies of Islaam financially, and boost the ability to purchase weaponry etc.
Our Fuqahaa (scholars) have explained in the books of Fiqh that it is prohibited to sell anything to those whom are at war with the Muslims, especially that which aides them in their war, and do not transport items to them, even after a truce.[1]
Ibn Abidin (Rahimahullah) mentions that what is meant by “ that which aides them in their war” is ‘anything that is used in war, even if small such as a needle,’ or any objects and weaponry that may benefit them is also prohibited to be sold to those at war with Muslims.[2]
The great scholar of our time, Mufti Muhammad Taqi (May Allah protect him) states: “People ask the question “what is the point of boycotting products since its only 5% or 10% that goes towards lsrael. Additionally, the workers are muslims (in pakistan) and they would be affected. So what is the ruling concerning it?”
Understand! This is not a matter of fatwa or ruling. It is a matter of imān and a sense of honour towards Imān. A Muslim should not stand even one dollar going towards Israel!
They say its just 5 or 10 percent. But think about it! If, from your personal salary, money is being taken to kill your father, you would not accept even one dollar going to that cause!
The effect of the war in Palestine has reached all corners of the world. Therefore, right now, the entire muslim world is at war, as far as I see it. As such, any Muslim with a true sense of honour and zeal for imān in his heart, would not accept giving even one dollar to the enemy Israel.
So boycotting these companies which support Israel is not a matter of fatwa, it’s a matter of IMÂN.” (End quote)
The parent company of KFC is Yum Brands, an investor in Israeli start ups, and definitely should be boycotted[3].
Boycotting supporters of the Israeli occupation of Palestine is more important now than ever. At the same time, many brands hide their support.
Check this growing list of companies to know where you should not be spending your money or providing your service.
See this website for a listing https://boycott.thewitness.news/
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And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best.
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
www.fatwa-tt.com /www.jaamia.net
[1] الدر المختار شرح تنوير الأبصار وجامع البحار (ص: 331)
فتح (ولم نبع) في الزيلعي: يحرم أن نبيع (منهم ما فيه تقويتهم على الحرب) كحديد وعبيد وخيل (ولا نحمله إليهم
ولو بعد صلح) لانه عليه الصلاة والسلام نهى عن ذلك، وأمر بالميرة وهي الطعام والقماش، فجاز استحسانا
[2] الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (4/ 134)
(قَوْلُهُ وَلَمْ نَبِعْ إلَخْ) أَرَادَ بِهِ التَّمْلِيكَ بِوَجْهٍ كَالْهِبَةِ قُهُسْتَانِيٌّ، بَلْ الظَّاهِرُ أَنَّ الْإِيجَارَ وَالْإِعَارَةَ كَذَلِكَ أَفَادَهُ الْحَمَوِيُّ؛ لِأَنَّ الْعِلَّةَ مَنْعُ مَا فِيهِ تَقْوِيَةٌ عَلَى قِتَالِنَا كَمَا أَفَادَهُ كَلَامُ الْمُصَنِّفِ (قَوْلُهُ يَحْرُمُ) أَيْ يُكْرَهُ كَرَاهَةَ تَحْرِيمٍ قُهُسْتَانِيٌّ (قَوْلُهُ كَحَدِيدٍ) وَكَسِلَاحٍ مِمَّا اُسْتُعْمِلَ لِلْحَرْبِ، وَلَوْ صَغِيرًا كَالْإِبْرَةِ، وَكَذَا مَا فِي حُكْمِهِ مِنْ الْحَرِيرِ وَالدِّيبَاجِ فَإِنَّ تَمْلِيكَهُ مَكْرُوهٌ؛ لِأَنَّهُ يُصْنَعُ مِنْهُ الرَّايَةُ قُهُسْتَانِيٌّ (قَوْلُهُ وَعَبِيدٍ) ؛ لِأَنَّهُمْ يَتَوَالَدُونَ عِنْدَهُمْ فَيَعُودُونَ حَرْبًا عَلَيْنَا مُسْلِمًا كَانَ الرَّقِيقُ أَوْ كَافِرًا بَحْرٌ (قَوْلُهُ وَلَا نَحْمِلُهُ إلَيْهِمْ) أَيْ لِبَيْعٍ وَنَحْوِهِ فَلَا بَأْسَ لِتَاجِرِنَا أَنْ يَدْخُلَ دَارَهُمْ بِأَمَانٍ وَمَعَهُ سِلَاحٌ لَا يُرِيدُ بَيْعَهُ مِنْهُمْ إذَا عَلِمَ أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَتَعَرَّضُونَ لَهُ وَإِلَّا فَيُمْنَعُ عَنْهُ كَمَا فِي الْمُحِيطِ قُهُسْتَانِيٌّ، وَفِي كَافِي الْحَاكِمِ لَوْ جَاءَ الْحَرْبِيُّ بِسَيْفٍ فَاشْتَرَى مَكَانَهُ قَوْسًا أَوْ رُمْحًا أَوْ فَرَسًا لَمْ يُتْرَكْ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ، وَكَذَا لَوْ اسْتَبْدَلَ بِسَيْفِهِ سَيْفًا خَيْرًا مِنْهُ
[3] https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3901254,00.html