A Muslim pharmacist selling the morning after–pills to non-Muslims

14-12-2009 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu alaykoum,
Is it ok for a muslim pharmacist practising in a non-muslim country (UK) to supply the morning after-pill for non-muslim customers who request it?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

First of all, we would like to clarify to you that in principle contraceptive pills are permissible if there is a necessity and provided that both spouses agree to it and that the wife is not harmed by using it, and on the condition that its use does not lead to permanent birth control.

Similarly, selling these pills is also permissible, but if in general the people of a given country use these pills to commit Zina (fornication or adultery) or that it is known that a particular person wants to use it for this purpose, then it is not permissible to sell it to them or to whoever wants to use it for this purpose. This applies to both Muslim and non-Muslim buyers because the non-Muslims are addressed with the obligations of the Sharee’ah according to the view of the majority of the scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them as discussed in Fatwa 85569. Therefore, it is not permissible to cooperate with them in committing a sin.

Finally, if a pharmacist is not able to refrain from selling such pills in those countries, then it is not permissible for him to continue doing this job. He should either look for another work or migrate to a Muslim country where he can earn his living in a lawful manner.  

Allaah Knows best.

www.islamweb.net