Question:
Assalamualaikum ustaz, I work as a design architect in a Chinese firm. I was once given a task by my chief (he is a non-Muslim) to design a space where a Buddha idol is going to be placed in and a karaoke centre that serves alcoholic beverages in their premises. What is the ruling of my involvement as a designer of said places?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
In answering this issue, we detail our answer into several points:
First: The Ruling of Working for A Non-Muslim
The meaning of the above title is the ruling of a Muslim to work in a company or organization that is owned by a non-Muslim.
In discussing this issue, the majority of the fiqh scholars agreed that it is permissible. Most of them refer to a hadith from Ali bin Abi Talib RA, where he said:
فَمَرَرْتُ بِيَهُودِيٍّ فِي مَالٍ لَهُ وَهُوَ يَسْقِي بِبَكَرَةٍ لَهُ فَاطَّلَعْتُ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ ثُلْمَةٍ فِي الْحَائِطِ فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ يَا أَعْرَابِيُّ هَلْ لَكَ فِي كُلِّ دَلْوٍ بِتَمْرَةٍ قُلْتُ نَعَمْ فَافْتَحِ الْبَابَ حَتَّى أَدْخُلَ فَفَتَحَ فَدَخَلْتُ فَأَعْطَانِي دَلْوَهُ فَكُلَّمَا نَزَعْتُ دَلْوًا أَعْطَانِي تَمْرَةً حَتَّى إِذَا امْتَلأَتْ كَفِّي أَرْسَلْتُ دَلْوَهُ وَقُلْتُ حَسْبِي فَأَكَلْتُهَا ثُمَّ جَرَعْتُ مِنَ الْمَاءِ فَشَرِبْتُ ثُمَّ جِئْتُ الْمَسْجِدَ فَوَجَدْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِيهِ
“I passed by a Jew on his property drawing water (from a well) with a pulley. I watched him from a gap in the fence. He said: "what is wrong with you O Arab1 Would you like to get a date for every bucket?" I said: "Yes. Open the door so I can come in." He opened the door, I entered and he gave me his bucket. Then for every bucket, I pulled out, he would give me a date, until when it was enough for me. I put his bucket down and said: "I think I had enough to eat" then I scooped some water to drink it. Then I came to the Masjid and found the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) in it.'"
Sunan al-Tirmizi (2473)
According to the above narration, it is permissible for a Muslim to work for a non-Muslim and receive wages from the services that he offered.
Second: The Ruling of Helping Non-Muslims
In the issue of a Muslim helping non-Muslim; help is divided into two:
- Matters Pertaining to Worship of Other Religions and Sins
In the issue of helping in terms of worship in other religions, it is impermissible for a Muslim to help. This is clear in the statement of Allah SWT:
وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ
“Do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”
Surah al-Maidah (2)
Thus, it is clear that Allah SWT prohibit helping others in sins and transgressions.
- Social Welfare
In the issue of social welfare, we as the Muslim ummah is commanded to do good to everyone regardless of religion, race, lineage, skin color, and others. This is in accordance with a hadith from Abu Dzar RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
وَخَالِقِ النَّاسَ بِخُلُقٍ حَسَن
“And treat people with good behavior.”
Sunan al-Tirmizi (1987)
The phrase ‘people’ in the above hadith is considered as a general statement that includes all humankind regardless of the person which also includes the disbelievers. Thus, it is obligatory to do good and display good behaviour when a Muslim socializes with the non-Muslims.
The same is stated by Allah SWT:
لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.”
Surah al-Mumtahanah (8)
In the above verse, it is clear that it is permissible to do good to the non-Muslims who are not against the Muslims.
As an example, a Muslim who happens to see a non-Muslim who are hungry and thirsty, then, he is commanded to help the non-Muslims. The same applies if a Muslim sees a blind non-Muslim trying to cross the road, then he should help the blind man. This is the true attribute of Muslim which is a blessing to the universe.
Conclusion
To conclude, we would state that it is generally permissible to work for a company led by a non-Muslim. However, if the work is mixed with prohibited acts such as helping in harming the Muslim ummah, production of alcoholic beverages, help in matters of shirk and sin, then it is prohibited.
Addressing the question asked, we would like to state that such things should be avoided. The reason is, every means to a harmful or sinful end is also considered as a sin. This is stated in Islamic legal maxim:
الْوَسَائِلُ لَهَا أَحْكَام الْمَقَاصِد
“The means (wasilah) has the same ruling as the end (purpose).”
Hence, designing places of which the purpose is for transgression and sin to Allah SWT is prohibited since it is a means to a prohibited end.
We suggest that you discuss and explain the situation properly and politely with your employer so that a favourable resolution is achieved for both parties. May Allah SWT give us the correct understanding in practising our religion. Ameen.