Ruling on Trade with Illegitimate Wealth and Kite-Flying String
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Issues of Buying and Selling, Vol.1, p.379
The Question
① Zayd obtained some wealth through unlawful means. ʿAmr bought goods from Zayd and engaged in trade with a lawful profit. What is the ruling on ʿAmr’s trade?
② What is the Sharʿī ruling on trading kite-flying string?
The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
(1) Trade Involving Goods from Illegitimate Wealth
◈ If ʿAmr himself did not participate in Zayd’s unlawful earning, but instead purchased the goods as any other buyer from the market and then traded with them lawfully:
✔ His trade is considered Sharʿī valid.
◈ The condition is that ʿAmr must not be a partner, supporter, or aider in Zayd’s acquisition of the unlawful wealth.
(2) Ruling on Kite-Flying String
◈ Since kite flying is impermissible in Sharīʿah due to the harms and frivolity it entails:
- Producing kite string specifically for this purpose, or
- Trading such string
✘ Both are prohibited and fall under the Qur’ānic prohibition:
﴿وَلَا تَعَاوَنُواْ عَلَى ٱلۡإِثۡمِ وَٱلۡعُدۡوَٰنِۚ﴾
“And do not assist one another in sin and transgression.” (al-Māʾidah: 2)
Conclusion
✔ ʿAmr’s trade is permissible if he is not directly involved in Zayd’s unlawful earning.
✘ Trading kite-flying string is impermissible, as it constitutes cooperation in sin.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
