Fatwa ID: 07586
Answered by: Alimah Saleha Bukhari Islam
Question
Patreon is used by videographers, webcomic artists, writers, podcasters, musicians, and other kinds of creators who post regularly online. Fans pay a few bucks per month or per post you release, and then you get paid every month or every time you release something new. Patreon will keep 8 or 12% of my earnings, depending on my pricing plan, plus fees and applicable taxes. Patreon is a kind of social media, but the way to earn money here is by direct payment, not advertising. Because it’s a social media, anyone can create a Patreon channel, and post anything, whether it’s halal or haram, and as per my research, just like Twitter, Patreon allows adult content creators to use their platform as well. I create cooking-related videos on YouTube.
However, since YouTube monetisation is not permissible according to many scholars, creating a Patreon channel could help me earn a decent amount by referring my YouTube viewers to my Patreon account, as many other YouTubers do. I have seen several Islamic scholars who have Patreon accounts.
So, will the earnings from Patreon be halal if I make halal content? Will I be sinful by referring my YouTube viewers to a site like Patreon where they can find both halal and haram content?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Producing permissible content on YouTube is generally permissible and will fall into impermissibility only if the content is impermissible. However, precaution must still be taken in terms of ensuring that the content itself and the connected advertisements fall within permissibility. Anything permissible done in moderation is a good Islamic practice. What must be avoided is excess, when a person is heedless with regards to time spent on doing something to the point of neglecting Salah and other obligations.
The services of Patreon itself are not impermissible. Like YouTube, the impermissibility depends on whether the content provided is permissible or not. For example, it accommodates offering exclusive access to artistic work not seen outside of your Patreon account. Patreon works for members (like yourself) by allowing them to earn money based on their various projects and creations.
If, as you say, the purpose is to provide cooking-related videos then there is no harm. It is not unlawful and, therefore, by providing this service does not implicate you in a sin committed by someone else who chooses to view haram content. Whilst there is an element of assistance in the direction of the availability of the service, how the service is used is up to the responsible person. If another responsible adult uses the service to commit haram, you will not be held responsible for their sins.
Allah says: “And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.” [Al-An‘am, 6:164]
We commend you for your concern regarding aiding another person towards sin. Allah says: “…Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is severe in punishment.” [Al-Mai’dah, 5:2]
In summary, you will be receiving patronage for creating cooking content such as when an artist and their work is supported by a patron, for example. If this is the case, then it is permissible to receive a commission for the work you produce. Essentially, what you are receiving is support for producing content that is in demand. So long as the rulings of the transactions do not contradict the laws of Shariah, then there is no harm.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Alimah Saleha Bukhari Islam
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ ١٦٤
وَتَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْبِرِّ وَٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلْإِثْمِ وَٱلْعُدْوَٰنِ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۖإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ ٢
