ACJU asks businesses to refrain from hoarding essential goods but serve people

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) in a statement yesterday urged the business community to refrain from hoarding essential goods and make them available for the public. Following is the full statement by the ACJU:

“Currently, while the entire world, including our country, has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic the increased prices on essential commodities have also adversely effected the routine lives of the people. Islam teaches us to engage in social welfare efforts and to identify the sick and the needy and to offer them possible assistance.

“The businessmen play a vital role in fulfilling the essential necessities of the people. We pray that their businesses are blessed with prosperity. Islam strongly emphasises that businessmen should uphold honesty at any given situation. Prophet Muhammad Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam has supplicated for honest businessmen and is reported to have said that such persons shall be with the Prophets, Siddeeqeen (Truthful) and Martyrs, in the Hereafter.

“However, it has been reported in the media that some businesses have hoarded essential commodities and restricted them from being distributed among the public anticipating a price increase. The Government is reported to have taken appropriate action against those guilty of this offence.

“Hadith has warned against such hoarders and declared them as liars and cursed them. The religious scholars have stated that hoarding such essential commodities as Haraam (prohibited).

“The Islamic ruling with regard to this matter has been issued by ACJU under the Fatwa Number: ACJU/FTW/2021/020-435. Web-link (Tamil): https://acju.lk/fatwa-bank-ta/recent-fatwa/item/2274-fatwa-on-monopoly-in-islam-tamil. Hence during these difficult circumstances, the ACJU appeals to the merchandisers to refrain from hoarding essential commodities and make them available for the public at reasonable prices.”