Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu alaikkum.

i'd like to ask a question which is haunting me since couple of days. i'm working in gulf. and here boycotting is going on against american products especially which is owned by jewish because of the aid they provide to isralis against palestines.  my question is as a muslim is it a sunnah to be a part of boycotting or it just a political issue.

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Answer:

Should we boycott American products?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His  forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 60 Surah Mumtahanah verses 8-9:

8 Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.

9 Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out; from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances) that do wrong.

The State of Israel has forcefully occupied the muslim lands, and oppresses and abuses the rights of the rightful citizens of the land; and the USA completely supports the Jews in this tyranny. The muslim nations and states all over the world are disunited, most have corrupt and illegitimate governments, and have absolutely no say in the affairs of the world. If the muslim nations were united as One Ummah, no one would have had the power to oppress any muslim nation anywhere on this planet earth! It is the duty and responsibility of the Islamic government and the leaders to protect the Muslim Ummah, but unfortunately, these corrupt kings, and dictators, and presidents are more interested in holding on to their own small power bases and kingdoms, than protect the lives, properties, and honor of the believers! Thus, the average believers find themselves in an extremely helpless situation.

In the absence of any fruitful steps taken by our so-called muslim governments to put pressure on the tyrants, some believers who truly feel for the injustice done to their brothers and sisters in Palestine, have called for a boycott of using American and Jewish products; hoping that not supporting the economies of these unjust oppressors would effect their economy and might bring about a change in their foreign policies. One must realize that in the absence of a United Muslim Government, and the inaction of the current muslim leaders, some well-meaning believers have made this appeal to the muslims in general.

If all the 1.8 billion or so muslims (about 30% of world population!) do boycott American and Jewish products, it will indeed seriously hurt the enemy’s economies; and the policies of these power hungry and tyrant New World Order are always based on the functioning of their economies! It is the only weapon the general average muslims, who sincerely feel for their oppressed brothers and sisters in Palestine, have!

One may argue that many muslims might not support this boycott; or that for it to be effective, the muslim government must call for this boycott; or that the boycott might not work!

Allah Subhanah is aware of the helplessness of the situation of the believers who have called for this boycott. He is also aware of the intention of each individual; and will Judge the deeds of man according to his intentions. If a believer does whatever is in his power and ability to support the believers in Palestine, with the intention of helping his believing brothers, he will have a huge reward in the Presence of the Merciful on a Day when every good deed, however small, will be recognized and appreciated!

Your Question: my question is as a muslim is it a Sunnah to be a part of boycotting or it just a political issue.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) and the believers did indeed put economic pressure on the pagans of Makkah, by stopping the route of the pagan Makkah caravans passing through the Muslim State of Medina. Thus putting economic pressure on the enemies of the muslims and Islam, would indeed be a Sunnah in that respect.

If a huge number of muslims do indeed boycott American and Jewish products, this non-violent but effective form of pressure will work and force the governments of the New World Order to change their foreign policies. But if only a handful of muslims stage this boycott, it will obviously be ineffective and will not bring the desired results in the life of this world; but in the life of the Hereafter, the person who did this for the sake of helping his believing brothers, and thus for the Pleasure of Allah Subhanah; he will have his due reward in the Presence of His Merciful Lord, Who is Aware of all things.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan