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:

Is owing a cinema hall allowed in islam...i mean will the money which one earns frm there permissible in islam...would`nt it be haram???? plz clear my doubt there`s a gud marriage proposal for my sister but the boy is having his own cinema hall as a source of income what should i do plz help me

Jazakallah 

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Answer:

Earning from cinema halls

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Owning a cinema hall by itself is not listed or considered as being unlawful in Shariah. But indeed, if the films shown in this cinema hall portray, facilitate and encourage indecency or ‘fahisha’ which is so prevalent in modern films and movies…..indeed the earnings from such a source would be considered unlawful and ‘haraam’ in the Sight of Shariah Law and in the Sight of Allah Subhanah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 7 Surah Aaraaf verse 33:

33 Say: The things that my Lord hath indeed forbidden are: ‘fahisha’ (shameful or indecent deeds) whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason; assigning of partners to Allah for which he hath given no authority; and saying things about Allah of which ye have no knowledge.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 6 Surah Anaam verse 151:

151 Say: "Come I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from": join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents: kill not your children on a plea of want; We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not (even) nigh to ‘fahisha’ (shameful or indecent deeds) whether open or secret; take not life which Allah hath made sacred except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you that ye may learn wisdom.

If you have a proposal for your sister from a suitor whose source of income is unlawful or doubtful, it would be prudent to not accept the proposal and seek another suitor for your beloved sister whose character and practice of deen completely satisfies your heart.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3090 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, 'When someone with whose (practice of) religion and character you are satisfied with asks for your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so, there will be temptation on earth and extensive corruption.'

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan