The Lessor's Condition Prohibiting the Use of Satellite Dishes in the Rented Property
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 17011 )
Q: I own scattered properties which I rent out as residential apartments to citizens and expatriates. Since I have noticed that some of my tenants have installed satellite dishes on the roof of the building, we ask you to kindly provide us with a fatwa on how to handle such a matter from a Sharia perspective, so that we can take the necessary steps to clear our conscience. We also seek your guidance regarding some tenants in apartments near the mosque who do not attend the mosque at all. What is the ruling on our position as owners? Should we continue the rental contracts with them, or should we force them to vacate? And do we have the right to stipulate in future contracts that the tenant must perform the prayer in congregation at the mosque, and if he fails to do so, the contract is void? We all hope for a prompt response to what has been mentioned. May Allah preserve you.
A: Installing a satellite dish is not permissible because of the many wrongs that are watched as a result of its installation and use. Likewise, it is not permissible for a Muslim to neglect the prayer in congregation. If this happens to someone who has rented from you, it is obligatory to rebuke him and advise him. If he does not comply, it is obligatory to refer his case to the competent authority
for the purpose of forbidding such evil. You may stipulate in the contract with the tenant that he does not neglect the prayer in congregation and that he does not install a satellite dish. If he does so, you have the right to demand that he be removed from the rented place or that the dish he installed be removed, and that he commit to attending the congregational prayer and the Friday prayer in the mosque. All of this falls under the saying of Allah, the Exalted and Sublime:[Al-Ma'idah 5:2] . And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I own scattered properties which I rent out as residential apartments to citizens and expatriates. Since I have noticed that some of my tenants have installed satellite dishes on the roof of the building, we ask you to kindly provide us with a fatwa on how to handle such a matter from a Sharia perspective, so that we can take the necessary steps to clear our conscience. We also seek your guidance regarding some tenants in apartments near the mosque who do not attend the mosque at all. What is the ruling on our position as owners? Should we continue the rental contracts with them, or should we force them to vacate? And do we have the right to stipulate in future contracts that the tenant must perform the prayer in congregation at the mosque, and if he fails to do so, the contract is void? We all hope for a prompt response to what has been mentioned. May Allah preserve you.
A: Installing a satellite dish is not permissible because of the many wrongs that are watched as a result of its installation and use. Likewise, it is not permissible for a Muslim to neglect the prayer in congregation. If this happens to someone who has rented from you, it is obligatory to rebuke him and advise him. If he does not comply, it is obligatory to refer his case to the competent authority
for the purpose of forbidding such evil. You may stipulate in the contract with the tenant that he does not neglect the prayer in congregation and that he does not install a satellite dish. If he does so, you have the right to demand that he be removed from the rented place or that the dish he installed be removed, and that he commit to attending the congregational prayer and the Friday prayer in the mosque. All of this falls under the saying of Allah, the Exalted and Sublime:
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.