Paying rentals during the lockdown period

If a person hired a business premises to trade but endured a loss in the business, he is still liable to pay the rental and cannot withhold payment, unless the landlord voluntarily absolves him of his obligation.

Based on the above Mas’ala, one will not be able to withhold rentals in spite of not being able to trade during the lockdown period. However, we advise landlords to be lenient towards their tenants (and partially, or fully waive rentals if possible) particularly if tenants have been loyal to the landlord over the years.