Can I Give Alcohol I Have Found to Non-Muslims?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam ‘aleykum.

If one buys a property and finds alcohol on it, can he give the items to people of other faiths?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

No, you cannot gift it to others. Rather, you should dispose of it in a safe manner.

The legal maxim states, “what is prohibited to acquire is prohibited to give [to another].” Essentially, just as you cannot do something unlawful (haram), you cannot directly assist another person in doing the unlawful.

Allah Most High says, “Help one another to do what is right and good; do not help one another towards sin and hostility.” [5.2]

[Zarqa, Sharh al-Qawa`id al-Fiqhiyya]

Please also see: Assisting in Sin

And Allah alone knows best.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani