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What is the ruling on opening an internet cafe, given that it is known to contain obscene programs that lead to deviation for those with weak souls?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The internet has positive and negative aspects. Opening an internet café that is frequented by both the righteous and the wicked is difficult to control and spreads evil and corruption. Therefore, the default is to prohibit such cafés because preventing harm takes precedence over acquiring benefits. If the owner of the café can control its patrons and prevent them from accessing bad websites, then it is permissible. The avenues of livelihood are numerous, and safety is unparalleled. He who remains silent about evil is complicit in sin. "Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith." "Indeed, if people see an evil and do not denounce it, Allah is about to send His punishment upon them all." "You must enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah is about to send His punishment upon you, then you will supplicate, but your supplications will not be answered."

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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