Rent a shop to a person who sells

Q: What is the ruling on renting shops to people who use them in selling different commodities including tobacco or to the owners of bookshops who sell different magazines including indecent magazines?

A: One of the conditions of permissible Ijarah (a lease for a lawful identified use or a hiring agreement) is to hire things for lawful benefit. Selling tobacco and indecent magazines is not lawful work. The owner of the shop should stipulate that the renter should not use his shop in an unlawful business, in case he does not trust him. If the renter breaches this condition, it will then become permissible for the owner of the shop to cancel the rent agreement.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.