Fatwa #4683328 January 2023South Africa
Acquiring gun license with interest money
Question
We sincerely hope that Hazrat Mufti Saheb and family are keeping well.
I need clarity on this issue:
My firearm license has expired. The South African law wants all owners of expired licenses to re apply for a renewal.
In order to re apply for a renewal (in our case :)
A new training and competency certificate will have to be redone. (Our previous certification is null and void due to changes to the South African law)
Most owners who have re applied have had their license renewal declined. Our understanding from a contact from the gun owners association, is that only 3 % of the firearm licences are renewed. It seems as though the agenda is to have your firearm taken away.
Can we use interest funds for the following :
1. To obtain a new training and competency certificate
2. Payment to a bonafide agency (within government structures) to ensure a renewal license is issued at a fee of approximately R5000.
Our worry is that the South African government is "trying" to disarm the nation with their policies, whereas the criminals are armed to the teeth.
JazakAllah for your sterling kidmat for Deen
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu 'alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is stated on the SAPS (South African Police Service) website: "The purpose of renewing a firearm licence and permit is to determine if a person still complies with the provisions of the Firearms Control Act, 2000, and the Firearms Regulations, 2004, in order to ensure effective control and responsible firearm and ammunition ownership."[1]
It is clear from the above that the purpose of these regulations is not to disarm the law-abiding citizens of the country. Rather, the regulations are placed to disarm the criminals. As stated above, it is to ensure that the firearm or ammunition is in appropriate ownership.
It is not permissible to use interest money to obtain a new training and competence certificate directly or through a bonafide agency. [2]
And Allah Ta'āla Knows Best
Mudassir Benish
Student - Darul Iftaa
U.S.A
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
(2020-12-30)
الفتاوى الهندية (349/5) [2]
والسبيل في المعاصي ردها وذلك هاهنا برد المأخوذ إن تمكن من رده بأن عرف صاحبه
(6/ 27) تبيين الحقائق شرح كنز الدقائق وحاشية الشلبي
ويردونها على أربابها إن عرفوهم، وإلا تصدقوا بها؛ لأن سبيل الكسب الخبيث التصدق إذا تعذر الرد على صاحبه
(5/ 235الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (
[مطلب إذا اكتسب حراما ثم اشترى فهو على خمسة أوجه]
(قوله اكتسب حراما إلخ) توضيح المسألة ما في التتارخانية حيث قال: رجل اكتسب مالا من حرام ثم اشترى فهذا على خمسة أوجه: أما إن دفع تلك الدراهم إلى البائع أولا ثم اشترى منه بها أو اشترى قبل الدفع بها ودفعها ... وقال الكرخي: في الوجه الأول والثاني لا يطيب، وفي الثلاث الأخيرة يطيب، وقال أبو بكر: لا يطيب في الكل، لكن الفتوى الآن على قول الكرخي دفعا للحرج عن الناس اهـ. وفي الولوالجية: وقال بعضهم: لا يطيب في الوجوه كلها وهو المختار، ولكن الفتوى اليوم على قول الكرخي دفعا للحرج لكثرة الحرام اهـ
(5/ 99) الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار)
والحاصل أنه إن علم أرباب الأموال وجب رده عليهم، وإلا فإن علم عين الحرام لا يحل له ويتصدق به بنية صاحبه