Question : What is the principle of using something which has benefit and harm and it is feared that it’s harm may be more than it’s benefit like Internet?
Answer:
If its harm is more then we advise with leaving it if you feel that you will not be able restrict the use of this which is in your hand. In this case you leave it. Allah mentioned wine and mentioned that it has benefits and evil.
يَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلۡخَمۡرِ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرِۖ قُلۡ فِيهِمَآ إِثۡمٞ كَبِيرٞ وَمَنَٰفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَإِثۡمُهُمَآ أَكۡبَرُ مِن نَّفۡعِهِمَاۗ
“They ask you concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: “In them is a great sin, and (some) benefit for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit.” (Al- Baqarah 219)
Meaning that : “Leave it” (wine). So if the matter is such that its evil is greater than its benefit then it is to be left off. It is so because Allah mentioned wine and gambling and also said that it has benefits but its evil is more. So similarly, something which has evil and benefits and its evil is more then we leave it.
Answered by
Shaykh Abu Bilal Al Hadhrami hafidhahullah
Translated by
Abu Muhammad Nezam Al-Hindi