Islam is a religion of action. It urges the Muslim to work and seek Allah’s bounties. In this regard, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) set a model example for Muslims to follow. He (peace and blessings be upon him) worked as a trader and as a shepherd.
Internet, in principle, is permissible as long as it is used in good goals. Muslims, in fact, are recommended to make use of this service in spreading Islam and its teachings.
As far as running “an Internet booth/café” is concerned, Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, Deputy Chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states: There is nothing wrong in running an Internet café as long as it is used only for useful and permissible goals.
If some people use this service for immoral or negative goals, then it is the duty of the administrators of these cafés to forbid them such usage and, even, warn them that they would no longer be permitted to use the service. In this context, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says, “Whoever amongst you sees an evil, let him change it by his hand; if he cannot do so, let him change it by means of his tongue (talk); and if he cannot do so, let him change (deny) it in his heart, and the latter is the slightest of faith.” (Reported by Muslim)
In the light of the above fatwa, it becomes clear that running an Internet café is permissible as long as evils and pornography are shunned. Owners of such cafés should watch the users of the service and control its usage.