Is Working in a Warehouse That Creates and Sells Funko Pops Permissible?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is working in a Funko Pop warehouse permissible that creates, assembles, and sells Funko Pop collectibles, not just children, but adults buy them, and they can even request one to imitate them?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
Thank you for your question.
The General Ruling
Scholars have long discussed the depiction of humans in art and media. We have also addressed the issue of toy-making when they take animated forms. Please consult the linked answer.
Allah Most High says: “Say, ‘Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things of His provision?’” [Quran, 7:32]
Thus, the ruling depends on the purpose and effect of the objects.
Funko Pops and Collectibles
- Toys for children are generally permitted, even in human or animal form, because they are not made to glorify idolatry. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) allowed ‘A’isha (Allah be pleased with her) to play with dolls. [Bukhari]
- Adult collectibles raise concerns about prohibited images, since the dispensation for children does not apply.
- Custom figures imitating real people may be problematic if they promote vanity or mockery. However, if treated simply as novelty items without glorification, they remain in a permissible, though grey, area.
Practical Guidance
- Your income: The default is permissibility unless the item is clearly used for sin. Since Funko Pops are toys/collectibles and not idols, working in their manufacture is permissible.
- Exercise balance: If you sense it feeds into wastefulness or a culture of excess, consider seeking alternative work, but your current earnings are lawful.
- Set your intention: Treat your work as a halal provision while actively seeking opportunities that serve people in ways closer to Allah’s pleasure (if you so wish).
- Avoid doubtful matters: If asked to design or promote indecent, offensive, or blasphemous figures, refrain and excuse yourself where possible.
I pray Allah provides you with pure sustenance, protects your heart from doubts, and opens for you doors of halal work filled with baraka.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
