Doing jobs for a democratic government
Q: In a democratic government, which types of jobs, taxes, and educational activities are permissible for a Muslim to participate in, and which ones are not allowed according to Islamic teachings?
Ijaarah
Leasing a property to a non-Muslim supermarket and takeaway
Q: I got a business property that's vacant. There's a non Muslim who wished to rent it out for a supermarket and takeaway. He will be selling haraam meat in the takeaway. Can I let it out to him?
Designing websites or apps which contain haraam elements
Q: I am a UI/UX designer based in Bangladesh. UI/UX means the apps we see on mobile and the websites we see on the web. I design those interfaces, and then a developer codes them so that people like you and me can use or view them. That’s what I do for a living. The design I create doesn’t go directly to the users or the public — it is first developed by a developer, and only after that does it go live for users to see or use.
I wanted to seek your guidance regarding what kind of design work is considered Halal or Haram in my field. As a designer, I sometimes receive project offers from different industries, and I want to make sure my work remains within Islamic boundaries.
For example:
1. If I design a medical website, can I include an image of a doctor or model who is not wearing hijab but is dressed modestly? Is that permissible?
2. What types of projects are allowed for me as a Muslim designer? For instance:
• Can I design apps or websites related to music (for example, ticket booking apps for concerts)?
• Can I design gaming websites or apps? or let me what to avoid.
3. Can I design a website for another religion? For example, if I need to create a Christmas-themed website or include elements that represent other faiths — would that be permissible for me as a Muslim designer?
4. In my work, I sometimes use AI tools that generate images or videos. Is it permissible to generate human or animal images using AI?
5. Related to that, is it permissible if I train AI using my own photos and then generate images of myself in different clothes or poses for design or presentation purposes? I want to ensure my income and work remain Halal, In shaa Allah, and I would truly appreciate your advice and guidance on these matters.
Charging the employee for early termination of employment
Q: I have an issue on which I need Islamic guidance. I was working in a company, and according to the company’s contract, if any employee leaves the job before completing two years, then he must pay the company two months’ salary.
My intention was not to leave the company, but due to mental stress and false accusations against me, I was forced to resign even though I did not want to.
My question is that according to Shariah, is it obligatory on me to pay this amount? I did not leave the job by my own will or by deceiving the company, rather I was forced to resign due to the false allegations and inappropriate behavior.
Passing on lessons online to a non-mahram via messages
Q: If a female gave written lessons that she copied and wrote to a non mahram online by forwarding paragraphs of the written down lessons with the reason being like tuition or teaching and the non mahram paid her for this, is the money earned through these lessons haraam?
Are any purchases made using that money also haraam? There was no calling involved so the non mahram did not see or hear the female and it was via messages. Sometimes the non mahram may have asked questions and the female would respond.
Doing personal work during working hours
Q: I have a full-time job with work hours 8am-5pm per the contract. If I have completed all my work responsibilities and have free time, am I allowed to use that time to work on my personal business? If not, what am I allowed to use this time for?
And secondly, am I allowed to use the laptop issued by the company I work for, for personal use?
Working in a car dealership that is involved in interest and financing
Q: I recently got offered a job at a car dealership and although I won’t be directly dealing with interest, the company is involved in interest and financing cars. I wanted to know if the money I earn from working at this company is halaal and if I will be sinful by working at such a dealership?
Cutting off lights and water from a tenant until overdue rent is paid
Q: Can I cut off lights and water from a tenant until overdue rent is paid?
Paying a tenant to move out to avoid further losses
Q: I have a tenant who is several months in arrears. In order to get the tenant out and avoid further losses, I tell the tenant that if you find another premises and move out within a month, I will pay you R5000. Is such an agreement permissible?
Keeping track of an insurance company's products and payments
Q: I work as a programmer for a company that has multiple customers like jet, Edgar's, Pep, Hollard, etc.
Whatever the client requires, we create a program for it.
One of our biggest systems is to create and maintain a program that allows Hollard to keep track of their customers insurance products and payments. We do not gain an income from the insurance payments but they pay us an admin fee for the use of the system. Is this considered a halaal income?