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Ruling on working in a company that promotes satellite channels

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Publication : 09-07-2004

Views : 23434

Question

I am sending this message to you because I am so anxious about this problem, namely the place where I work. It is a satellite TV company, one of whose channels is the Iqra’ religious channel which broadcasts religious programming, but there are also other channels such as music channels and Arabic movies. What should I do? Praise be to Allaah, I am a religiously-committed and bearded young man and I follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). My work is in the switchboard of the company; I answer the phones and transfer calls to the employees, and vice versa. At the same time I am looking for other work, but I cannot find anything. In my heart I am worried because of this work. Every time I hear the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), “The slave’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he has been asked about four things,” including his wealth, I get worried because of that. I hope that you will advise me.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

We ask Allaah to guide you towards that which is best for your religious commitment and worldly affairs, and we ask Allaah to grant you a goodly (halaal) provision and to bless it for you. 

Your work in this company is not permissible, and it is haraam earnings, because this company facilitates channels that promote immorality, deviation and misguidance. 

Allaah has forbidden us to commit sin and do haraam things directly, and He has also forbidden us to help others in doing so. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Say (O Muhammad): (But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al‑Fawaahish (great evil sins and every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allaah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge”

[al-‘Araaf 7:33] 

“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]

Anyone who thinks about these immoral channels will be amazed by the audacity of these people in spreading immorality and opposition to sharee’ah and decent morals. For every deviation, temptation or misguidance caused by these channels to any individual, those who produce and work for these channels have a share of the sin. 

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“That they may bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and also of the burdens of those whom they misled without knowledge. Evil indeed is that which they shall bear!”

[al-Nahl 16:25]

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “… whoever calls to misguidance will have a burden of sin like that of those who follow him, without that detracting from their sins in the slightest.” Narrated by Muslim, 2674. 

Our advice to you is to leave this job, and look for other work that is halaal and good. Be patient in bearing the problems that you will encounter, for the reward of Allaah is precious. What matters is not the work, rather what matters is that the work should be halaal. Beware of nourishing your body on haraam food (earned through haraam work), and remember that no soul will die until it has received its provision in full and lived the time span decreed for it. Read the following hadeeth well and think about it:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is nothing that will bring you closer to Paradise but I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will bring you closer to Hell but I have forbidden it to you. The Holy Spirit (i.e. Jibreel) inspired to me that no soul will die until it has been given its provision in full. Fear Allaah and be moderate in seeking a living, and do not let the fact that it is slow in coming make you seek it by disobeying Allaah, for that which is with Allaah cannot be attained except by obeying Him.” See al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 2866. 

Remember that Allaah has commanded us to eat from that which is good and permissible (al-tayyibaat) and He has told us that haraam wealth is one of the things that prevent du’aa’s from being answered. 

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah is Good and does not accept anything but that which is good. Allaah has issued the same command to the believers as He issued to the Messengers, when He said (interpretation of the meaning): 

‘O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibaat [all kinds of Halaal (lawful) foods which Allaah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits)] and do righteous deeds. Verily, I am Well‑Acquainted with what you do’

[al-Mu’minoon 23:51] 

‘O you who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah — Islamic Monotheism)! Eat of the lawful things that We have provided you with’

[al-Baqarah 2:172].” 

Then he mentioned a man who has traveled for a long time and is disheveled and dusty, and stretches forth his hands towards heaven, saying, “O Lord, O Lord,” but his food is haraam, his drink is haraam, his clothing is haraam and his nourishment is haraam, so how could he receive a response? Narrated by Muslim, 1015. 

So seek the help of Allaah and seek reward from Allaah. We ask Allaah to give you strength and guidance. 

And Allaah knows best.

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Source: Islam Q&A