Business and Dealings

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.

Buying a closed box whose contents are unknown

Q: I would like to know if buying a box with the contents being unknown permissible or not. Example there are 5 closed boxes you cannot open before buying but the estimated value is R100 each. It can be worth more, it can be less. If the estimated value is R100 and it's on an auction platform, the bid can land upto R800 example or can cost you R100. 

Is this permissible to buy? 

Please note that each box will have something and none will be empty but it can be something with very low value. 

Confirming the sale upon delivery of the items

Q: A pharmacy takes orders, and then delivers the medication along with the invoice. At times the price of the items in the order is known to both the pharmacy and the seller. 

1. At times the purchaser just orders certain items, and receives the goods with the invoice. The price was not known till receiving the goods. With small items that they keep in stock, there is no issue with returns. 

1.1. Is this sale correct? 

1.2. If there was no issue with the item, but the purchaser is not happy with the price (since he only saw the price upon delivery), then what should he do? 

2. At times the pharmacy does not stock a certain item and has to order it. Again, the buyer sometimes doesn't know the price till he recieves the order. The pharmacy cannot take returns on specially ordered items. 

2.1. Is this sale correct without knowing the price before ordering? 

2.2 If the purchaser is not happy with the price (since he only saw the price upon delivery), what should be done? The pharmacy is not happy to take returns since they specially arranged for this item at their delivery cost etc.

 2.3 What type of sale is this classified as? 

3. The pharmacy supplied a medication/cream etc. that is close to expiry, expiring within 2 weeks. The buyer will not use that much of the item to complete it within that time period. Is the buyer entitled to return the item based on the expiry date? If the pharmacy says there's no issue with using the item past its delivery date, does this statement absolve them of taking the item back?

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.

Earning through Amazon Affiliate Marketing

Q: Amazon Affiliate Marketing is part of the Amazon Associates Program. It allows you to promote Amazon products through your unique affiliate links. When someone clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. 

Question is, is it halal for earning money through Amazon Affiliate Marketing, if the product is halal? Would the money be halal for the affiliate marketers?