I am a resident in an area where a well-known Muslim family has begun construction of a business.

Answer

The moral principle of Islam:

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "A true Muslim is one from whose tongue and hands Muslims are safe."

2) The legal principle of Islam:

In terms of the Shariah, the principle is that "Harm of the individual shall be tolerated to ward off harm from the community."

Based on both the moral and legal principles of Islam, the neighbours have every Islamic right to object to the proposed 2-storey fish, chip and m e a t p r o c e s s i n g / manufacturing enterprise which is being constructed in their midst in a residential area.

Among the numerous examples for the operation of these principles, the Fuqaha mention that constructing a restaurant or a bakery and similar such businesses in the midst of shops dealing only in fabric (cloth), shall be prevented. The Shariah does not permit inconveniencing (causing takleef) to others. This prohibition has greater emphasis if an individual for his own monetary benefit causes takleef to neighbours or to the community around him.

The proposed business will most certainly bring about the negative effects mentioned by you in your item No.1. In addition to these negative, harmful and inconveniencing factors, are the congregation of unsavoury elements who usually frequent such haunts.

Another negative and impermissible factor is the two-storey building itself if the houses of the neighbours are one-storey buildings. Even if the building has to be only a two-storey residential house, then too it will not be permissible. It is not permissible to construct a double storey building adjacent to a onestorey house because the occupants on the upper floor will be able to see into the premises, yard, etc. of the neighbours thereby violating their privacy and the purdah of the females. Thus, permission for the double storey will not be granted in terms of the Shariah.

Furthermore, an additional negative factor emphasising the prohibition will be the impediment to sunlight caused by the double storey which looms above the smaller house at its foot.

A restaurant of the kind envisaged by the Muslim family, as well as other kinds of business, e.g. blacksmith, sp ra y-p a i n t i n g, s t e e l - manufacturing, etc., etc. are not permitted within an exclusive residential area.

Due to the danger of the ground sinking and causing damage and danger, it is not permissible to construct the borehole in the dolomite area.

All the neighbours should vigorously oppose the proposed business which will also deal in haraam meat and haraam processed foods. It is permissible to object. The family who ignores the concerns of the neighbours is acting most contumaciously and un-Islamically, and is in violation of the Shariah. You may report the culprits to the appropriate authorities.