Sunday 21 Jumada al-akhirah 1446 - 22 December 2024
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Working on a machine that engraves images on crystal

Question

What is the Islamic ruling on keeping a machine that engraves on crystal and using it to earn money, as I live in a country outside the Kingdom for the purpose of seeking business opportunities? This picture illustrates what is meant in the question and how the machine works.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

After examining the picture that you sent, and the way the machine works, it is clear that this process makes pictures of things, then transfers that picture or image onto the crystal. Based on that, if the image is permissible, such as images of trees, mountains, rivers and inanimate things, then there is nothing wrong with working with this machine and using it to earn money. But if the images are prohibited, such as images of animate beings, namely humans, birds and animals, then it is not permissible to use this machine for this purpose.

Making images of animate beings with modern equipment, which produces images on solid materials such as paper and the like, is a matter concerning which there is a difference of opinion among the scholars. The most correct view is that this is not allowed except in cases of necessity, because of the general meaning of the evidence that speaks of the prohibition on making images, and the curse on the one who does that. Please see the answers to questions no. 22660 and 8954 .

You should understand that the one who gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better than it, and the one who fears Allah, may He be exalted, He will grant him provision and will increase him in that, and He will suffice him and grant him refuge. There is no good in haraam earnings that a person acquires for himself and his family, for every body that is nourished from haraam wealth, the fire is more befitting for it.

We ask Allah to grant us sufficient from that which He has permitted so that we have no need of that which He has prohibited, and to make us independent of means by His bounty so that we have no need of anyone else.

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A