Question:

I want to know if buying from apple is haram. because their supplier lens technology has been accused of Uighur labour. When apple has been asked about this they strictly deny the use of any slave labour. I dont know if i should trust them.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ʿalaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

We commend your zeal to boycott a company who may be involved in aiding towards hurting and harming muslim ummah. May Allah Taʿala reward you for it, Ameen.

From the sharʿī perspective, we understand that despite this desire and zeal, the transaction with Apple Inc. in itself will be permissible without any karahiyah. As long as the internal arkān (pillars) of a transaction are sound, the transaction will be valid in Shariʿah.

That being said, if you wish to show your desire towards an economical resistance towards Apple Inc. who may be involved in Uyghur labour, then please read my standard stance on such economical boycotts.

In principle Muslims may trade with non-Muslims as well as in commodity from non-Muslim lands. But, as Muslims the least we wish and desire to do is not assist any atrocity perpetrated upon our Muslim Brethren and Sisters. Whether this is in Palestine, Myanmar or Kashmir. Our hearts go out to them. If this desire is so strong that one wish to establish a private boycott of such countries, then it will be rewarded in the court of Allah.

However, consistency should be the key. Just as we may put such personal restriction upon Israel, then we should also restrict out purchases of items from India, Burma, China and all other such countries who are continuously and without shame committing violence upon our Ummati brothers and sisters. The same desire to Economically hit hard should be towards local corporate companies as well who aid such countries in their systemic assault upon Muslims.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Mufti Faisal bin Abdul Hameed al-Mahmudi
www.fatwa.ca