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:

Dear Sir,

Is sandlewood sumggling permitted in islam. I know it is haram in islam, but please give me details.

This is for your information.

Thanks.

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Answer:

Sandalwood smuggling

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.

The buying, selling, and/or usage of ‘sandalwood’, in its essence, is not amongst the list of ‘haraam’ or unlawful in Shariah…..thus its trading or usage is lawful in Islam.

Because ‘sandalwood’ trees grow only in some specific areas of the earth, and it is in great demand all over the world, and because its demand is much more than its supply, some nations fear that its stock of sandalwood might be depleted…..and thus they have declared ‘sandalwood’ a protected species and have made laws which prohibit its trading or export.

Thus although the trading or usage of ‘sandalwood’ in its essence is not unlawful in Islam, it would definitely be against the laws of the nation one lives in.

If one lives in a land which has laws protecting and/or preserving ‘sandalwood’ or any other species for their future generations, it would be the duty of the believers living in that land to obey the laws of that nation.

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