Fatwa ID: 08150

Answered by: Aalimah Khadija Tarwala

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum Sheikh, I hope you are well. My question is regarding working as an IT professional in an IT firm. Is it halal or haram?
As an IT professional, we create websites, applications, AI models, and analyze data. This includes a wide range of clients: gyms, educational platforms, general businesses, and even banks. While many of the projects involve halal content, some websites include images of women.
Similarly, some apps may support banks and include elements of interest (riba), though these apps also serve general functions.
AI models are developed to assist people, and their use depends on the individual. Most of our work is aimed at productivity and utility.
Our earnings go to the company first, and then we are paid a salary. I would like to know if such work is permissible.

Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Walaikum asalaam,

Working as an IT professional can be permissible if the work itself aligns with Islamic principles. If you’re creating websites or AI models for lawful purposes, like educational or business websites, this is allowed. However, if the content includes impermissible components e.g. inappropriate images or promoting sinful behavior, it becomes an issue.

Even if a website promotes halal content but includes images of women in an immodest manner, it may be considered impermissible. In Islam, the suspicion of engaging in riba, even indirectly, is enough to make the activity forbidden. This applies to situations where any form of riba is present, even if not directly involved.

It is important to remember the command in the Quran to lower the gaze and protect modesty, as well as the prohibition of looking at anything that may lead to immoral thoughts or actions. This serves as a reminder to be cautious about what is created or promoted, making sure it adheres to Islamic guidelines.

Quranic references:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ
(Surah An-Nur 24:30)

حَتَّى تُعُورِفَ الْبَيْعُ بِالْحَالِ بِأَنْقَصَ مِنْهُ بِالْمُؤَجَّلِ (فَتَتَحَقَّقُ) بِوُجُودِهِ (شُبْهَةُ) عِلَّةِ (الرِّبَا) فَتَثْبُتُ شُبْهَةُ الرِّبَا (وَشُبْهَةُ الرِّبَا مَانِعَةٌ كَحَقِيقَةِ الرِّبَا) بِالْإِجْمَاعِ عَلَى مَنْعِ بَيْعِ الْأَمْوَالِ الرِّبَوِيَّةِ مُجَازَفَةً وَإِنْ ظَنَّ التَّسَاوِيَ وَتَمَاثَلَتْ الصُّبْرَتَانِ فِي الرُّؤْيَةِ وَلَيْسَ فِيهِ إلَّا شُبْهَةُ ثُبُوتِ الْفَضْلِ
كتاب فتح القدير للكمال بن الهمام – ط الحلبي

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Aalimah Khadija Tarwala
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham