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Ruling on working in a company that sells toys that have music

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Publication : 09-01-2011

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Question

I am working in a company that distributes toys and stationery. I want to know the Islamic ruling on selling toys, knowing that most of the toys that we sell involve cartoon characters which have movies that are shown on children's television channels such as SpaceToon.  The reason for my question is that there is music in every toy, and sometimes the character whose toy we sell changes into a number of characters with the faces of wild animals, according to the stories told in the movies.This shows children that this is an extraordinary character that does not die and that no one can kill or confront.  We have another toy for girls that is a small doll which looks like a newborn infant and can do a number of things such as eating and drinking and wetting itself, and it can move and laugh and cry, and it sheds tears. And there are other toys such as pirates, soldiers and weapons of war. 
My question is: is it permissible to work in this field or not, in the sales department?
If there is any prohibition, does it apply to all departments of the company, such as accounting and administration, or does it apply only to the sales department? Please note that all employees receive their salaries from the sales profits.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

It is not permissible to sell toys that have music, because of the proven report that it is haraam to listen to music. 

See the answer to question no. 5000 

And it is not permissible to sell games that include corrupt beliefs or the symbols of deviant sects. 

Please see the answer to question no. 22069

There is nothing wrong with selling dolls for children, even if they move or speak and the like, so long as they are free of music. 

See the answer to question no. 119056

It is not permissible to sell haraam toys or to help in that in any way whatsoever, such as administration, accounting, carrying or transporting, because that comes under the heading of cooperating in sin and transgression. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment”

[al-Maa’idah 5:2].

If the toyshop includes both things that are permissible and things that are haraam, but it is possible for the employee to work in a department that has nothing to do with the haraam toys, it is permissible for him to work there. Otherwise he is sinning because of his participation in selling haraam things or helping others to do so. 

It should be noted that there are many ways of earning a living, and if a person fears Allah, He will help him and guide him, and will grant him provision from sources he could never imagine, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things”

[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]. 

And Allah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A