Is It Permissible to Receive Payment for Liking Videos?

Answered by Shaykh Muhammad Carr

Question

Is it permissible to keep earnings from a scheme that initially pays for liking videos but later requires investments, knowing it may be a scam? If it is prohibited, can the money be given to the poor instead of returning it?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Allah says,

“O you who believe, devour not your wealth between you through falsehood; but only through trade by your complete mutual consent.” [Quran, 4:29]

Receiving payment for liking videos is invalid, as it does not constitute a substantive service that justifies financial compensation. It resembles a seller’s words, which require no real effort or value. [See: Shirbini, Mughni al-Muhtaj]

Moreover, if a person clicks “like” on a video that they do not genuinely appreciate, they are not only engaging in the impermissibility mentioned above but are also guilty of false testimony.

Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Shall I not inform you of the gravest of major sins?” (He repeated this three times). They replied, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Associating partners with Allah and disobedience to parents.” He was reclining, but then he sat up and said, “And false testimony!” He continued repeating it until we said, “If only he would stop.”

These payments must be returned to the employer; otherwise, they are given to charity.

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Muhammad Carr
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Muhammad Carr has dedicated his life to studying and transmitting our beautiful deen. His studies have taken him around the globe, where he has benefitted from many luminaries. Under the guidance of his teachers – Shaykh Taha Karan, Shaykh Yaseen Abbas, Shaykh Muadh Ali, and many others – Shaykh Muhammad has grown to appreciate the beauty and benefits of diverse scholarship. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an at Dar al-Ulum Zakariyyah in September 1997 and received an Alimiyya Degree in 2006 from DUAI (Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah). He is also affiliated with Masjid Auwal in Bo Kaap, Cape Town (the oldest mosque in South Africa), where he serves as a co-imam, and Dar Al-Safa, where he has taught since 2018. As a teacher, he imparts the wisdom of our heritage and tradition by opening the door to students. As an imam, he has the unique opportunity to serve his community in daily life.

In addition to his roles as a teacher and imam, Shaykh Muhammad Carr has contributed significantly to the administrative and advisory aspects of Islamic institutions. Since 2023, he has served as the Administrative Director at The Imam Kurani Institute, contributing to the institution’s growth and development. He continues to pursue traditional Islamic Sciences, possessing a keen interest in Islamic Contract Law and Finance. Shaykh Muhammad has been a Shari‘a Board Member for Islamic Asset Management & Insurance Companies since 2001, aligning financial practices with Islamic principles.