AskImamDarul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah (AskImam)

Running an internet cafe or ISP for browsing, chatting with people of opposite gender

Fatwa 3416English
Misc. Fiqh

Question

According to Shari'ah, is it permissible to be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and charge a service fee considering the fact that it might be used in immoral and unlawful activities?

Answer

Internet is a modern technique of communication and its use is not prohibited in Shari'ah. Therefore, charging a service fee is not prohibited. The using of the Internet for some unlawful activities does not render all the Internet Services as prohibited. It is similar to a tape-recorder which can be used for both permissible and prohibited activities. The person using the internet and tape recorder will be responsible for using them for unlawful activities.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

Answered by
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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