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Permissibility for a Muslim to Work for Netflix.

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

I would like to find out the rulings/permissibility for a muslim to work at Netflix.

I am a data analyst and would be analysing the companies customers data with the aim of understanding customer behaviour to grow Netflix’s customer base.

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Working as a data analyst is a permissible line of work.

Non-Muslims aren’t held accountable to the standards of the Sacred Law, and hence, the remuneration received for such work would also be permitted.

At any rate, merely providing a platform for streaming is a lawful activity in and of itself, despite any subsequent, religiously problematic content which may be found therein.

Generally, you should seek out wholesome employment, namely, the kind of work that corresponds to our ethical standards, or at least doesn’t oppose them, and fulfils your needs too. But life can be complex, so if you find yourself in a sub-optimal situation, ask Allah Most High to assist you, and actively dislike the impermissible in your heart.

Please also see this answer and these answers.

And Allah Most High knows best.

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.

When Getting Involved with Companies Selling Alcohol Becomes Haram?

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Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I have recently started working for a company as a solutions consultant.

Customers contact our company and our team provides consultation services as to what types and sizes of technologies should be used to meet the clients requirements of rates of product received and despatched out of their warehouse to their stores or to customers.

The customer base of the company varies. Some of the companies in the food and beverage industry could be alchohol companies or big grocery stores that sell alchohol as part of their products. Are my earnings haram?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

I pray you are well.

Your job is permissible as you are not directly assisting anyone in committing a sin (Abu al-Hāj, Ṣalaḥ, al-Bayan). Please refer to this answer for more details.

May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 to study and sit at the feet of some of the most erudite scholars of our time.

Over the following eighteen months he studied a traditional curriculum, studying with scholars such as Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh Abdurrahman Arjan, Shaykh Hussain Darwish and Shaykh Muhammad Darwish.

In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years, in Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Shama’il, and Logic with teachers such as Dr Ashraf Muneeb, Dr Salah Abu’l-Hajj, Dr Hamza al-Bakri, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Dr Mansur Abu Zina amongst others. He was also given two licences of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital by Shakh Samir Jabr and Shaykh Yahya Qandil.

His true passion, however, arose in the presence of Shaykh Ali Hani, considered by many to be one of the foremost tafsir scholars of our time who provided him with the keys to the vast knowledge of the Quran. With Shaykh Ali, he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic Sciences, Tafsir, Arabic Grammar, and Rhetoric.

When he finally left Jordan for the UK in 2014, Shaykh Ali gave him his distinct blessing and still recommends students in the UK to seek out Shaykh Abdul-Rahim for Quranic studies. Since his return he has trained as a therapist and has helped a number of people overcome emotional and psychosomatic issues. He is a keen promoter of emotional and mental health.

Is It Permissible to Proofread Documents Containing Haram Material?

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I am a proofreader an editor and I get all kinds of material to work on.

What should I do if I am given a document to proofread that may contain something haram?

Examples I have come across include memoirs that contain sexual episodes, product guides for choosing wine glasses…

Answer:  Walaikum assalam,

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.

Proofreading such documents would not be considered “assisting in sin,” though one should (a) guard one’s own state; (b) seek Allah’s refuge from the corrupt and sinful; and (c) steer towards more wholesome choices of proofreading, where and when facilitated.

Please see this reader: assisting in sin.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.

wassalam,
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and Executive Director of SeekersHub Global After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersHub Global to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He has been repeatedly listed as one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims (The Muslim500).

How to Distinguish When Something Is Indirect or Direct Assistance in Sin?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

1. Someone who is trying to claim benefits of the government, without being eligible for it, took my laptop and told me he is going to use it to fill out a registration form to claim benefits and I allowed him to use it. Is this an example of indirect assistance in sin?

2. How to distinguish when something is indirect or direct assistance in sin?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

1. Yes, the scenario described would be an example of indirect assistance in sin. But why don’t you assume the claim is legitimate and that you aren’t aware of all the details of the person’s personal circumstances? In either case, it would not be sinful.

2. If you are directly party to the sin, it is direct assistance. If the action you did is permissible, then it is indirect assistance. Please see the numerous examples found in the archives here.

Ignore misgivings.

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.

Is It Permissible to Work as a Medical Insurance Coder?

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Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: I was looking into working from home as a medical coder. The job would require me to take the diagnosis and procedures preformed by the doctor and convert them into codes for insurance purposes. Is this halal, since the coding job will be done to get payment from the medical insurances companies?

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

From what I understand from the description of a clinical coder or a medical insurance coder, the job itself is permissible. This is because the actual work such an individual does consists of entering patient information into classification systems software in order for a health care provider to determine whether they will be reimbursed by the patients insurance company.

This task of the coder is in and of itself permissible and is therefore not considered directly assisting in sin as the clinical coder is in no way drawing up the insurance contract, evidencing it, or working directly with the actual insurance company.

However, though the income from such a job would be permissible, there may be some dislikedness in the work itself as it could be deemed indirectly assisting someone in sin. As such, it is optimal to avoid if one can do so without putting oneself in hardship. Otherwise, simply dislike it slightly in one’s heart.

Also see: Is It Considered Assisting in Sin to Develop Software for Casinos, Banks, or Insurance Companies?

Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Working for a Company Providing IT Solutions in Un-Islamic Markets

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Would it permissible to work for a company which provides IT solutions such as hardware, software, networking etc to other companies that operate in a un-Islamic industry/market sector?

Examples: Working for an IT company providing first/second/third line technical support to their clients that might include banks, clubs, the hospitality sector (haram restaurants), insurance companies,  casinos, alcohol companies and anything else that is haram? In this scenario you work as a technical/computer specialist for an IT company that has sold or leased out computer hardware, software, networking etc to other companies of the type listed above. The client(s) pay the IT company (that you work for) and the IT company pays you.

 

 

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

Such work would be permissible according to the Hanafi school, since it entails indirect assistance in sin, which is disliked but not sinful according to Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him).  [Sarakhsi, Mabsut; Kasani, Bada’i; Zayla’i, Tabyin]

Of course, it would entail greater taqwa and piety to avoid it. Also, you should definitely hate the unlawful aspects of those companies in your heart, as hating the unlawful is an obligation.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers:

Is It Considered Assisting in Sin to Develop Software for Casinos, Banks, or Insurance Companies?

Can I Work for a Company That Sells Various Kinds of Lab Equipment, Including Some That is Used for Genetic Engineering?

Can a Taxi Driver Serve the Opposite Sex, Transport Customers to Haram Locations, or Transport Customers Carrying Haram Items?

A Beautician With Non-Hijab Clients: Am I Accountable When They Go Out Uncovered?