Permissible and Impermissible employment

Building an "events planning" website

Q: We are planning to build a website through which people can plan events like weddings, parties, programs, etc. Since this website is for both Muslims and non-Muslims, we also need to include services such as dance groups, DJ’s, photography for weddings, etc. booking services on this website. We don’t have any direct involvement in those activities as we only act as a mediator. The customer who visits this website can book any of the advertised services as they wish. We charge the clients advertising on this website a commission per booking. Some other services that will be advertised are catering, hall booking, mehndi designers, boutique designers, wedding cards developers, travelling services, light and sound services, stage decorators, etc. Is it permissible for us to include the haraam services (e.g. photography, dance groups, etc.) on our site?

Working for American Corporations

Q: I have a job offer from an American Corporation (group of companies) which mainly deals with oil, gas and petroleum industry around the world (about 95% of its business is with this sector). This company has many subdivisions. My work will be in a sub division of the company that only deals with oil, gas and petroleum equipment and customers in the middle east only. But I also came to know that one of the subdivisions of this company in USA/UK makes equipment for naval forces of western military. This business would be not more than 3-4 % of their total earnings. I will not be working in this division at all! Is it okay to accept the offer with the oil, gas and petroleum division and work for this company.

Income of a person working in a newspaper company and a bank

Q:

1. What is the ruling on the income generated by working for a newspaper. The newspapers contain pictures, news which have the elements of backbiting, blaming, etc. Can we eat from the homes of these newspaper owners or their employees? They are close relatives and it will be difficult not to eat/drink while visiting them?

2. How about eating at the homes of bank emoloyees in the similar situation of being close relatives? Would the sin be greater if we eat there than eating in  the newspaper employees?

Taking a job where one is comfortable

Q: I have a Shaikh who I meet whenever at my masjid.He has been helping me to find a job at the masjid for about a year. Three days  days ago, I met with him, he introduced me to two sisters to see if they are able to help me to do something in the masjid. I was interested to work as an Islamic teacher or as an assistant. However, the sister who I was interacting with mostly wasn't telling me clear-cut if I am hired and gave me paper works that are meant for a person who is hired. On Thursday, I went back to ask if I am hired and if I'm not hired, why they gave me these paper works? The other sister who is the school principal of this particular branch of our masjid was not being straight with me either. She was telling me that every company in America, they will give these paper works that ask for your income tax, bank information, and etc. However, in America, companies can only hand out these papers to employees who are hired for the job. She also told me that masjids are not a good place to find a job. My question is this, should I inform my Sheikh about this issue?

Earnings of a web developer

Q: I am a web developer. I did a job of a website which has some relation with alcohol. I didn't know before I accept the job.

Details: I got a job more than 1 year ago to build a website. That is a "Tour website". I built it's structure, and they filled up their content themselves. After the first contract was done, they contracted me time to time for more small work of structure changing in the same website. Once I noticed that their tour package names are "... place BEER Package", "... place WINE Package" etc. I cannot remember, when exactly I noticed it. But, since I noticed "BEER,WINE", I'm confused about my earning from it.

Today I asked them: "Alcohol (Beer, Wine etc.) is involved with your business. Right?"

They answered: "Yes" "Not really though" "We sell the trip to places, we don't sell alcohol on our tours"

I asked them again: "Isn't your package price included alcohol cost?"

They answered: "" (they didn't answered)

Note1: The total is a big amount. The amount is not easy for me to sacrifice anytime. I need time to earn it. Otherwise I could sacrifice it without any question.

Note2: I follow Hanafi madhab.

Now my questions are:

1. Is it haram for me, what all I earned from that website work?

2. What should I do about the money I earned before I know about the alcohol involvement?

3. What should I do about the money I earned after I know about alcohol involvement?

Pursuing a career in science

Q: I always wanted to acquire the knowledge of Deen and live my life in the service of Deen. Unfortunately, until now, I have not been able to pursue Deeni studies. Currently, I am 23 years old and I don’t think I can pursue full time Deeni studies right now. So I am thinking about pursuing study and research in material science with the aim of serving Islam through this knowledge, and also with the aim of discovering solutions for some of the problems which humanity faces as a whole nowadays like global warming, pollution, lack of clean drinking water, etc.

1. Many Ahaadith mention the virtue of acquiring Deeni knowledge. If I study science, will I also receive this virtue? Will I be rewarded by Allah  for studying science?

2. Should I abandon studying and earning a livelihood and instead spend my life in serving Deen?