Ruling on the Sale of Colonia

Question: There are some types of colonia sold in the markets. Some people use it as a perfume, and some people use it as a drink. If a shop owner sells it to some open sinners who use it as a drink, how do you view the action of the shop owner?

Answer: First, one must look into the colonia itself: is it sold or not? The most apparent view is that it is not sold if it is used as a drink and contains something that intoxicates. The most apparent view is that selling it is forbidden, and it is obligatory to prevent it to block the door to evil. However, if it happens that he profits from it—as is the case now—and a person sells it without knowing whether the buyer will do this or that, then he owes nothing and there is no blame on him. But if he knows that this young man or this person uses it for intoxication, it is not permissible for him to sell it to him; because in that case, he knows that he is assisting him in sin and transgression, so it is not permissible for him to do so.
And if it is known that a person sells it to this type of people, then the one in authority has the right to punish him for selling it to those he knows use it for evil. He is informed that he was only permitted to sell it to those who use it as a perfume, although it should not be used at all.
What appears to us is that it should not be used at all as long as it is something that intoxicates and contains spirit (alcohol)—known for its intoxication and harm—so it is not permissible to use it. Rather, one should be cautious of it.