Boycotting McDonald's: between Ethical Choice and Fiqh Rulings

Abstract

The fatwa advocating the boycott of Israeli products has been proclaimed by various authorities and religious scholars. However, its feasibility, validity, and practicality are often questioned, particularly within the context of today’s interconnected global economy, especially considering the involvement of companies aligned with Israel. McDonald's is one of the brands affected for boycott, yet it also plays a significant role in the economic and financial landscape for Muslims worldwide, including in Malaysia. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the rationale behind the boycott of McDonald's in Malaysia. To achieve this objective, the study reviews information gathered from various sources and literature, with an emphasis on the fiqh perspective. The findings suggest that while the boycott may be plausible, it may not yield significant benefits in the broader context and should be evaluated based on factors that provide advantages rather than pose challenges for the Muslim community in Malaysia.