Ruling on hosting a website which includes songs in some of its sections

Question: 36650

I want to host websites, and one of the conditions of hosting will be that the sites do not include anything that goes against Islamic sharee’ah. But it is inevitable that among these sites there will be someone who puts some songs or something of that nature on his site. Is it obligatory to erase them, or can we simply advise him? If he refuses to erase them, then do I have to remove them? Please note that this will cause some damage to the reputation of my hosting service. I hope that you can explain this matter clearly.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

You have done well by stipulating that nothing should be included that goes against Islamic sharee’ah. If you state some examples, such as music, pictures of women and songs, that will be better, because some of those who use the internet may be unaware that these things go against sharee’ah.

Whether you stipulate these conditions or not, it is not permissible for those who sign up with you to put anything haraam on their sites, for disobedience to Allaah is something that must be avoided, and that does not depend on conditions stipulated by anyone. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whatever I have forbidden to you, avoid it.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 7288; Muslim, 1337.

It is not permissible for you to approve of anything that is haraam, or to help the one who wants to put it on his site, for Allaah has forbidden that when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

“but do not help one another in sin and transgression”

[al-Maa’idah 5:2]

The condition that has been stipulated is simply to reinforce this message and make it clearer.

Based on this, if someone puts something haraam on his site, you have to advise him and ask him to remove these files. If he responds, all well and good, otherwise you have the right to remove them and not renew his contract.

Do not worry about your reputation; it is sufficient to please Allaah and be accepted by Him.

Al-Tirmidhi (2414) narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Whoever seeks to please Allaah by displeasing the people, Allaah will suffice him and protect him from the people. But whoever seeks to please the people by displeasing Allaah, Allaah will leave him to the people.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

In His hands are the treasures of the heavens and the earth,

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine”

[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]

A little that is blessed is better than a great deal in which there is no blessing.

And Allaah knows best.

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