What to Boycott ?

[Fahim786Fahim]

Hello everyone,

I want to share something that has been weighing heavily on me. I feel deeply confused about how to properly support Palestine. I’ve read that major companies like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have connections with Israel, including reports about Project Nimbus, which provides AI technology to the Israeli military. When I see this, I feel troubled.

At the same time, almost every field today—graphic design, web development, social media, online business—depends on these platforms. If I want to grow professionally or start a business, I would likely need to use LinkedIn, cloud services like AWS, or social media for promotion. It feels almost impossible to completely avoid them.

A scholar I trust, Mufti Muhammad Madani Raza, who regularly appears on the IDS YouTube channel, explained that if boycotting something causes major harm to Muslims, their deen, or serious personal loss, then it may not be required. But if the harm is minor, then it is better to leave it. He also mentioned that using these platforms is not automatically a sin, and that the extent of boycott can depend on one’s level of iman.

I also contacted Mufti Qasim zia Al Qadri from UK, He was in a hurry when i phone him, he said that you should avoid that but the income is not haram.

This is where I feel anxious. I am a student. I chose a low-profile JOB Field, but now I realize my heart is more inclined toward business. I want to shift into a more business-focused field. However, doing so would likely require me to use these same platforms. My intention is not luxury—I just want to support my family, earn honestly, and give zakat and charity. But then I worry: what if part of my money indirectly supports those harming people in Gaza?

Sometimes I question myself—does continuing to use these platforms mean my iman is weak? Or is it simply the reality of living in a system where there are no real alternatives? If I completely avoid them, it may not destroy my life, but it could limit my growth and ability to help others.

I am genuinely confused and anxious. I don’t want to follow my desires, and I don’t want to ignore my responsibilities. I just want clarity and guidance. If anyone can offer sincere advice, I would truly appreciate it.

Please help ABU HASAN SIR.......

IN SHORT, I WANT TO ASK :-
I want to start a (side business). I am calling it a side business because it is not my main source of income. If it were my only source of income and I had no alternative, then I understand that Shariah may allow it due to necessity. However, in this case, my intention is to earn extra profit and improve my financial condition.

For this (side business), I would need to use platforms like Meta for promotion, and Google and Amazon for website services and SEO, and possibly LinkedIn for networking. Since this is not an extreme necessity but a way to increase my income, I want to know what Shariah says about my condition. Is it permissible for me to proceed, or should I avoid it because it is not a necessity? Please guide me according to Islamic principles.

Also provide something from the salaf or any FATWA related to this to avoid any waswasa, i regularly came across this waswasa that if i do business on these platforms, i am supporting a genocide....what to do i am in so much confusion !

I am attaching the questions i asked MUFTI MOHAMMAD MADANI RAZA, you can see that as a reference !

 

[Aqdas]

Shaykh Abu Hasan said elsewhere, that we can't realistically boycott everything. Like you said, too many companies are compromised. There are a few big players who pretty much own most of the market.

So Shaykh Abu Hasan said: take the big ones and boycott one at a time.

Starbucks is a good start.

 

[abu Hasan]

look, boycott should have a purpose. and we should certainly do it if it hurts. in today's world, if you boycott certain products, you are only hurting yourself. it is simply not possible to live or make money (for a large section in the global economy) unless you use certain tech products.

unless you are a farmer or a shepherd on a mountain top you cannot escape corporations.

so it is not wise to boycott something just for principle. i will write more presently.

For this (side business), I would need to use platforms like Meta for promotion, and Google and Amazon for website services and SEO, and possibly LinkedIn for networking. Since this is not an extreme necessity but a way to increase my income, I want to know what Shariah says about my condition. Is it permissible for me to proceed, or should I avoid it because it is not a necessity? Please guide me according to Islamic principles.

there is no harm in using these services.

 

[Fahim786Fahim]

Thanks for your kind reply, Will ask again if have any doubt !

 

[Barelvi Faqeer]

ٱلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ ٱللَّٰهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ
Hope all is well. I hope no one minds me putting my two cents in.
The goal of boycotts vary, but the large goal is not to actually 'stop funding' or 'cut funds' to the oppressors, but rather to raise awareness and global concern for a certain cause. Look up international boycotts of the South African apartheid Govt. during the 1970s and 80s- the effect was minimal; however, it raised a good amount of global concern and fostered international resentment towards the apartheid Govt., as well as undermining the National Party's fiscal capacity, to a lage extent, despite resentment from world leaders like Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Raegan, etc.

Hence, we need to take heed. Whereas we can't boycott everything, let us do what we can. There is absolutely no need to be drinking coke, starbucks, etc, hence, boycott what's easy - for now. Let's start somewhere In Sha Allah.

 

[Khanah]

I don't think this boycott raises awareness. I've never met anyone who isn't 'aware' of the issue, although they may not care. When it comes to boycotts, I think they're good in the sense that we're doing something rather than nothing and there are other benefits too e.g. If you boycott coke, then that's actually beneficial to your health if you're not replacing it with an alternative soda etc. Boycotting tik tok is good for you now that it's controlled by zionists but it's trash for your soul anyway.

Side note - anyone boycotting tik tok due to zionist influence but not previously boycotting them when it was under Chinese ownership (same people who oppress the uyghurs) needs to get a clue.

Boycotts should also be targeted and practical rather than a scattergun approach to avoid boycott fatigue. Additionally, the subjects of boycotts should be companies should be well researched rather than being added to the list on the basis of fake news or poor logic. For example, a random company owned by someone with a Jewish surname does not need to be boycotted.

Personally, I think boycotting these products has less of an effect than boycotting sin- and the removal of sin would lead to the removal of punishment. But it's easier to boycott coke whilst sitting in the shisha lounge so that's where the focus is.

 

[HassanKhan]

Hello everyone,

I want to share something that has been weighing heavily on me. I feel deeply confused about how to properly support Palestine. I’ve read that major companies like Meta, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have connections with Israel, including reports about Project Nimbus, which provides AI technology to the Israeli military. When I see this, I feel troubled.

At the same time, almost every field today—graphic design, web development, social media, online business—depends on these platforms. If I want to grow professionally or start a business, I would likely need to use LinkedIn, cloud services like AWS, or social media for promotion. It feels almost impossible to completely avoid them.

A scholar I trust, Mufti Muhammad Madani Raza, who regularly appears on the IDS YouTube channel, explained that if boycotting something causes major harm to Muslims, their deen, or serious personal loss, then it may not be required. But if the harm is minor, then it is better to leave it. He also mentioned that using these platforms is not automatically a sin, and that the extent of boycott can depend on one’s level of iman.

I also contacted Mufti Qasim zia Al Qadri from UK, He was in a hurry when i phone him, he said that you should avoid that but the income is not haram.

This is where I feel anxious. I am a student. I chose a low-profile JOB Field, but now I realize my heart is more inclined toward business. I want to shift into a more business-focused field. However, doing so would likely require me to use these same platforms. My intention is not luxury—I just want to support my family, earn honestly, and give zakat and charity. But then I worry: what if part of my money indirectly supports those harming people in Gaza?

Sometimes I question myself—does continuing to use these platforms mean my iman is weak? Or is it simply the reality of living in a system where there are no real alternatives? If I completely avoid them, it may not destroy my life, but it could limit my growth and ability to help others.

I am genuinely confused and anxious. I don’t want to follow my desires, and I don’t want to ignore my responsibilities. I just want clarity and guidance. If anyone can offer sincere advice, I would truly appreciate it.

Please help ABU HASAN SIR.......

IN SHORT, I WANT TO ASK :-
I want to start a (side business). I am calling it a side business because it is not my main source of income. If it were my only source of income and I had no alternative, then I understand that Shariah may allow it due to necessity. However, in this case, my intention is to earn extra profit and improve my financial condition.

For this (side business), I would need to use platforms like Meta for promotion, and Google and Amazon for website services and SEO, and possibly LinkedIn for networking. Since this is not an extreme necessity but a way to increase my income, I want to know what Shariah says about my condition. Is it permissible for me to proceed, or should I avoid it because it is not a necessity? Please guide me according to Islamic principles.

Also provide something from the salaf or any FATWA related to this to avoid any waswasa, i regularly came across this waswasa that if i do business on these platforms, i am supporting a genocide....what to do i am in so much confusion !

I am attaching the questions i asked MUFTI MOHAMMAD MADANI RAZA, you can see that as a reference !

Brother in the beginning of this genocide even I used to feel helpless about not being able to do anything.

But the turth is that we are not born as kings or presidents of any country. There is not much we could do.

The only solution to this issue is jihad. Going there with an army and doing what needs to be done. This is what the salaf did. But because most of the so called muslim rulers are sold outs we have nothing in our hands.

But we shouldn't despair in the mercy of Allah. History is witness that small armies have defeated big ones. If Allah wills all of this could change within the blink of an eye.

Basically what I am trying to say is while feeling the pain of other muslims is a good thing we should also remember that we are not the ones to be blamed, the ones to be blamed are those who allow this despite of all the power they have. They are the ones who will have to answer in the court of Allah about this not some ordinary muslim who has no ability to go and fight a war

 

[Fahim786Fahim]

Sorry to disturb you all again...
I got really confused reqarding this issue, Please anyone help...

Is it permissible to do business with a chinease company because of china and uyghurs issue...The company is not directly involve but any chinease company ultimately pay taxes to the government...
An aalim said to me that Sahaba also do business in non-muslims countries - pay taxes and earn profit...
So What should i do ?
China have many cheap manufacturers and all other countries mainly import their goods to sell, so i also want to do that...
Or should i leave and search for some other thing...