What is the ruling on selling goods that have images of disbelieving players on them, with a prize underneath, as done by the companies Vimto and Cola?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh: Recently, the company Vimto released images of players. They released images of players from teams from the Netherlands, and they appeared in the markets. This is a sticker; if you remove this paper or image, you find a prize underneath.
Likewise, the company—perhaps I am mistaken in the name—Cola or Coca-Cola also released images of players from the Eastern Region. What is your opinion, Your Eminence, in this matter? May Allah preserve you?
The Shaykh : I see that this merchandise, which has images of the players on it, should be boycotted. For we ask: What is the benefit to Islam and Muslims in the player’s prominence and his appearance over others? What is the benefit? I believe every person’s answer will be in the negative: there is no benefit. And if there is no benefit, how do we announce the names of these people, publish their images, or do the like of that? What should have been done is to move away from this thing to advising the players to adhere to Islamic etiquette: covering the 'awrah, maintaining prayer in congregation, not quarreling among themselves, not exchanging insults, and not allowing the exaltation of the disbeliever to take hold of them if he succeeds in this game over others. This is what should be done.
So I see that this merchandise should be boycotted and shunned. Also, it is the general rule that this company did not place this prize except knowing that it will profit many times over compared to what it placed.
So we ask Allah the Exalted to make us and you among the people of insight in the religion of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and to protect our lands, our youth, and our religion from everything that harms us and upsets us. Indeed, He is capable of all things. And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.
Likewise, the company—perhaps I am mistaken in the name—Cola or Coca-Cola also released images of players from the Eastern Region. What is your opinion, Your Eminence, in this matter? May Allah preserve you?
The Shaykh : I see that this merchandise, which has images of the players on it, should be boycotted. For we ask: What is the benefit to Islam and Muslims in the player’s prominence and his appearance over others? What is the benefit? I believe every person’s answer will be in the negative: there is no benefit. And if there is no benefit, how do we announce the names of these people, publish their images, or do the like of that? What should have been done is to move away from this thing to advising the players to adhere to Islamic etiquette: covering the 'awrah, maintaining prayer in congregation, not quarreling among themselves, not exchanging insults, and not allowing the exaltation of the disbeliever to take hold of them if he succeeds in this game over others. This is what should be done.
So I see that this merchandise should be boycotted and shunned. Also, it is the general rule that this company did not place this prize except knowing that it will profit many times over compared to what it placed.
So we ask Allah the Exalted to make us and you among the people of insight in the religion of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and to protect our lands, our youth, and our religion from everything that harms us and upsets us. Indeed, He is capable of all things. And all praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, and upon his family and all his Companions.