What is your opinion of one who buys establishments of evil and corruption to open establishments for spreading good in their place?
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The questioner : May Allah make your deeds good. Some people who love to spread good buy certain establishments that spread evil, such as music recordings and the like, and convert them into establishments for spreading good. Is this action permissible? May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.
The questioner : Or is it sufficient to just call to the religion?
The Shaykh : If a person has the ability to buy this establishment that spreads evil and corruption to convert it into an establishment of good, then this is among the best deeds, because the benefit of this is far-reaching. However, there is a difficulty with this: you might buy it, and then he goes and opens another establishment. If you know that this man is one who wants evil and will not stop if you buy his establishment, but rather he will take your money and open another establishment with it, then there is no benefit in buying it. This differs if, for example, the country does not allow opening a new establishment that spreads vice. In that case, there is no doubt that it is beneficial if you buy it and convert it into an establishment of good. But if the door is open for anyone who wants to open whatever they wish, that is a problem, because you may spend this money seeking good, but you will not get what you want. Spending it in another establishment is more beneficial for you and for the Muslims. Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes, exactly.
The questioner : Or is it sufficient to just call to the religion?
The Shaykh : If a person has the ability to buy this establishment that spreads evil and corruption to convert it into an establishment of good, then this is among the best deeds, because the benefit of this is far-reaching. However, there is a difficulty with this: you might buy it, and then he goes and opens another establishment. If you know that this man is one who wants evil and will not stop if you buy his establishment, but rather he will take your money and open another establishment with it, then there is no benefit in buying it. This differs if, for example, the country does not allow opening a new establishment that spreads vice. In that case, there is no doubt that it is beneficial if you buy it and convert it into an establishment of good. But if the door is open for anyone who wants to open whatever they wish, that is a problem, because you may spend this money seeking good, but you will not get what you want. Spending it in another establishment is more beneficial for you and for the Muslims. Yes.