Is It Permissible to Work as an AI Image Reviewer?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
I work as an AI trainer. My job is to review AI-generated media, such as images and audio, for quality.
Some images include AI-generated human figures, which I believe are not permitted.
I can skip these and focus only on permissible content.
My first question is: Is it permissible to keep this job if I only review permissible content and opt out of the rest?
My second question is about the mandatory skill-assessment tests. These unpaid tests require me to review images I believe are not permitted, only to assess my skill.
I must pass them to keep my job. Is it permissible to take these tests?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate
May Allah Most High reward you for asking before acting. Your desire to keep your work pure is a sign of taqwa.
Allah Most High says, “Whoever is conscious of Allah—He grants him a way out, and provides for him from where he did not reckon.” [Quran 65:2-3; Keller, The Quran Beheld].
Taqwa is not simply doing what is allowed. It is choosing the safer path, trusting that your provision comes from Allah, not from your job.
If you wish to take this path with conviction and without doubt, then this answer is for those who seek taqwa.
Two Levels of “Assistance” in Sin
The Hanafi scholars distinguish between two types of assisting in sin:
Direct engagement, where you are directly involved in the impermissible act, is prohibited outright.
Indirect involvement is disliked but not sinful. If you can avoid it, you are rewarded. It is considered indirect when the harm comes from another person’s choice. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Kasani, Bada’i al-Sana’i]
Your Two Questions
Regarding your two questions:
First, you may keep the job if your employer allows you to genuinely opt out and you only review what is permissible. Your wage is for the work you actually do, and your connection to the rest is distant.
However, the mandatory skill tests are a more direct involvement.
Note on Digital Images
Do note that such digital images (when the content is not impermissible) are permitted by many scholars. Please find related answers in the SeekersGuidance Answers – www.seekersguidance.org
Beyond what is permitted, there is what is recommended.
You seem inclined to the safer path: to leave this work and seek a role that does not require you to look at what is not permitted.
Whatever you leave for the sake of Allah Most High, He will replace it with something better.
Remember, images that are not themselves haram are not prohibited from being processed, according to reliable opinions.
Be aware of the difference of opinion, and choose what your heart is at peace with.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Seek an answer from your heart, even if people give you answer after answer.” [Ahmed and Tabarani]
A story from Habib Umar bin Hafiz (Allah preserve him) on Taqwa
One of the leading scholars of our age, Habib Umar bin Hafiz, was once asked by a man running the finances of a restaurant that served alcohol.
He instructed him to leave the work without delay, and recounted this from Shaykh Muhammad Mutawalli al-Sha’rawi (Allah have mercy on him).
A hotel manager once told the Shaykh he could not leave his post because of his debts. The Shaykh recited this same verse, then asked: “Did Allah mention taqwa first, or the way out first?” The man said, “Taqwa first.”
The Shaykh said, “You want a way out before having taqwa. You have to have taqwa first, and then Allah will give you a way out.”
The words struck the man, and he left the hotel. Soon after, he was asked to manage a hotel beside the Prophet’s Noble Sanctuary in Medina, where he remained for thirty years—his affairs taken care of through his taqwa [Muwasala, On Leaving Dubious Earnings for the Sake of Allah].
I have seen many times that Allah fulfills this promise in ways we could not imagine.
May Allah Most High bless your work, grant you better for what you leave for His sake, and keep your heart at peace.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Sources:
Related SeekersGuidance Answers
How Much Is One Responsible for Aiding Others in Committing Sins?
Directly assisting another in a sin makes you a party to it. You become responsible for a threefold portion: the evil deed itself, the sin of inviting others to it, and the sin of all who accept that invitation and follow through.
Assisting in Sin
It is strictly impermissible to assist someone in sin, especially concerning major sins like shirk (ascribing partners to Allah). If you inadvertently contribute to a sinful act, sincere repentance is required, and you will not be held accountable for the ongoing effects of that mistake.
Is It Permissible for Me to Assist in the Construction of a Building That May Be Used for Sin?
Working on the construction of a building that might be used for sin (like a theatre) is generally permissible because the physical labor (bricklaying, plumbing) is inherently halal. However, doing so is disliked, as it is an indirect cause of sin, and avoiding it is preferable.
Am I Accountable for Driving People to Places of Sin as a Taxi Driver?
The Shafi’i school strictly prohibits knowingly transporting someone to commit a sin, while the Hanafi school distinguishes between direct and indirect assistance, offering more leeway. Regardless of the school, intentionally avoiding transporting passengers to known places of vice is always the safest route.
How Can Organizers Avoid Facilitating Guests’ Alcohol Consumption?
Facilitating alcohol consumption, even indirectly by paying corkage fees at an event, makes you an active participant and is considered aiding in sin. To avoid this, organizers should choose venues without alcohol or require guests to cover all fees themselves.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.
Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.
In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.
Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.
Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School.” This book, published by White Thread Press in 2004, is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.
His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.
