Fatwa ID: 06495

Answered by: Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

Question:

I have a question that I’d like to get guidance on from the Ulema of Darul Iftaa.

I’m a software engineer by profession and I wanted to know if it is permissible to work with clients whose source of income is unknown or maybe from haram means since they’re mostly non-muslims. For example, will it be permissible for me to conduct my software business with a client who makes money through haram means (maybe casinos, the adult industry, etc.)? But the work that I’m doing for this client is ONLY SOFTWARE related. I.e. I’m building a piece of software that is not related to this haram work but is separate, such as building a website for this client (which does not include haram material). In this case, will it be permissible for me to work with this client and will that income be halal? Please advise. (I follow the Hanafi fiqh)

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

Answer:

Doing trade with non-muslims is permissible. Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam also did business transactions with non-muslims.

There is no need to investigate the source of income of all those whom one does business with, whether they be Muslim or not. You may sell your halaal software to anyone who comes to your business to buy it.

However, if you are setting up a  website that advertises or contains haraam it will not be permissible, eg, if you are setting up a website that will be specifically used for pornographic content or gambling, etc, then you would be aiding and abetting in haraam.

It would not be permissible to do so, whether it is for a Muslim or non-muslim.

References:

لا عبرة للتوهم

القواعد الفقهية

وَتَعَاوَنُوۡا عَلَى الۡبِرِّ وَالتَّقۡوٰى‌ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوۡا عَلَى الۡاِثۡمِ وَالۡعُدۡوَانِ‌ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ‌ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيۡدُ الۡعِقَابِ

سورة المائدة ٢

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Alimah Sherbhanu Jadwat

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham