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I have been offered a job as a web designer for student affairs. Even though most of the sections are decent, there are some sections with immoral content. I told the owner of the website that I will never develop the sections that contain immoral content, and he said: Develop the sections that suit you, and I will deal with the rest. I thought that the home page would be part of what I design, and that I would make links to other sections (dating, nightclubs, cinemas, meetups) – is that permissible? Please note that I am very keen to work, but my mind is not at peace.
Praise be to Allah.
It is permissible to work as a web designer, on condition that the websites are free of haram content and free of ads promoting such content, because that comes under the heading of cooperating in sin and transgression, and because of what it involves of approving evil and being content with it, and even helping in creating and maintaining it. Whatever is like that is obviously prohibited, because Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
{And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty} [al-Ma’idah 5:2].
And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon h im) said: “Whoever among you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand (by taking action); if he cannot, then with his tongue (by speaking out); and if he cannot, then with his heart (by hating it and feeling it is wrong), and that is the weakest of faith.” Narrated by Muslim (49).
Hence it is not permissible to put on the website links to cinemas or nightclubs, or similar things that involve helping in sin, and it is not permissible to create sections for these things, even if that is without developing them.
Rather your work should be limited to what is permissible only, and you should also advise the owner of the website not to add anything to it that could incur the wrath of Allah, may He be exalted. If he approaches someone else to add these sections, or he makes them himself, there is no sin on you, but if you refrain from dealing with anyone who you think is going to add to your design and introduce into it anything that could help in evil deeds, that will be better for you.
You should not let your keenness to work prompt you to do whatever work is offered to you, whether it is halal or haram. Rather you should fear Allah, may He be exalted, and realise that provision is in His hand; goodness and success come from obeying Him, and that doing what is haram leads to scarcity and humiliation.
We ask Allah, may He be exalted, to help you, bless you and guide you.
And Allah knows best.