The use of unauthorized hormones to increase production and fruit size
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Fatwa number ( 21407 )
Q: We are sending you our attached question, hoping that you—may Allah preserve you—will study it with the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta to issue an urgent fatwa regarding the following two matters: 1. We are currently in the province of al-Wadi al-Dawasir during the date season. 2. Many farmers are asking about this important issue, especially the upright ones; due to their concern—may Allah reward them with good—for the safety
and the purity of their consciences from what Allah has forbidden. Date farm owners use: 1. Unauthorized hormones to increase production and fruit size and improve quality. Their use is harmful to humans and is not officially authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water. 2. They also use insecticides and fungicides that have a specific prohibition period, ranging from one to three weeks, which the farmer must observe. However, some farmers do not observe this period and harvest the fruits on the same day or the day after spraying the pesticides. What is the ruling on using these hormones and pesticides in the manner described? And what is the ruling on the money earned from selling these fruits as described? We ask for general advice to farmers regarding these actions and similar ones.
A: This is a forbidden act because it is deception of the Muslims. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Sunan Ibn Majah 2225Da'if (Darussalam) This act is harmful to the Muslims, and whoever harms a Muslim, Allah will harm him. The one who does it is sinful, his earnings are forbidden, and he deserves punishment
for the deception and sin he has committed. It is not permissible for anyone who knows this state of affairs in these types of products to market, promote, or sell them, because that involves cooperation in sin and aggression. And Allah the Exalted says:[Al-Ma'idah 5:2] . Therefore, the aforementioned farmers and other Muslims should fear Allah, cooperate in righteousness and piety, stay away from the causes of sin and aggression, seek lawful earnings and blessed sustenance, avoid forbidden earnings, and not be deceived by the adornment of this worldly life and the accumulation of wealth through any unlawful means. A little lawful is better than a lot of forbidden. Muslims should inform the authorities about those who do this so that they can be dealt with, because this is an evil that must be forbidden. Muslims should advise one another to do what is right, enjoin good and forbid evil, and offer advice to their brothers. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Q: We are sending you our attached question, hoping that you—may Allah preserve you—will study it with the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta to issue an urgent fatwa regarding the following two matters: 1. We are currently in the province of al-Wadi al-Dawasir during the date season. 2. Many farmers are asking about this important issue, especially the upright ones; due to their concern—may Allah reward them with good—for the safety
and the purity of their consciences from what Allah has forbidden. Date farm owners use: 1. Unauthorized hormones to increase production and fruit size and improve quality. Their use is harmful to humans and is not officially authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water. 2. They also use insecticides and fungicides that have a specific prohibition period, ranging from one to three weeks, which the farmer must observe. However, some farmers do not observe this period and harvest the fruits on the same day or the day after spraying the pesticides. What is the ruling on using these hormones and pesticides in the manner described? And what is the ruling on the money earned from selling these fruits as described? We ask for general advice to farmers regarding these actions and similar ones.
A: This is a forbidden act because it is deception of the Muslims. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
Whoever cheats us is not one of us.
من غشنا فليس مناfor the deception and sin he has committed. It is not permissible for anyone who knows this state of affairs in these types of products to market, promote, or sell them, because that involves cooperation in sin and aggression. And Allah the Exalted says:
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلاَ تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.