Forbidden businesses

Furthermore, commerce associated with gambling and games of chance is strictly forbidden. Such activities are viewed as undermining the moral fabric of society, fostering addiction, and promoting economic instability. The Shia perspective is resolute in advocating for economic activities that foster productivity and sustainability, steering clear of ventures that lead individuals to vice or despair.

In addition to these prohibitions, the Shia Islamic framework extends to the ethical considerations surrounding the production of certain goods. Businesses involved in producing or distributing products that are considered haram, such as pork, are also forbidden. This extends to industries that violate ethical obligations or that contribute to environmental degradation—practices that, while perhaps legal, are in stark opposition to the stewardship of the earth outlined in Islamic teachings.

A nuanced understanding of forbidden businesses necessitates an examination of labor practices as well. Exploitative labor—characterized by unfair wages, unsafe working conditions, or child labor—is inherently abhorrent. The Shia teachings advocate for just and humane treatment of workers, emphasizing that any enterprise that coerces or mistreats individuals is fundamentally incompatible with Islamic values. This perspective encourages the pursuit of endeavors that uplift the community rather than degrade its members.