Ijaarah

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 in Karachi whose head office is in another country. 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 some individuals repeatedly placed accusations on me without any evidence or proof. They would write emails against me which created difficulties for me. Due to this mental stress and false accusations, I was forced to resign even though I did not want to. 

My question is: according to Shariah, is it obligatory on me to pay this amount? Because I did not leave the job by my own will or by deceiving the company, rather I was forced to resign due to their 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.

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?