A man rented out his rest area to a group who watch satellite television in it; is the rent forbidden or lawful?

The questioner : Your Eminence, we have a man who has a rest area that he has rented out to some people or young men who have installed satellite television in it. He has advised them repeatedly, but it has not been of any benefit. This man appears to be righteous, and he is the imam of a mosque. The question is: is the money he takes from them lawful, and what advice do you direct to him? May Allah guide you.

The Shaykh : This person says: A man rented out his rest area to a group who installed satellite television in it; is the rent lawful or forbidden?
This depends on whether the lease contract with these people is lawful or forbidden.
If they rented it specifically to install this satellite television and stay up all night watching it, then it is forbidden. The contract is forbidden, and the earnings are forbidden.
However, if he rented it so that they would go out to it at the end of the day and stay up there as long as they wish, then return to their homes, this is not forbidden. But if he sees that they have installed the satellite television, once the contract between them is finalized, he should say to them: either you remove the satellite television, or you leave. Is that clear?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Very well.