Educational content only. We analyze the technology sector through the lens of Wasilah (Means) and Maqasid (Objectives).
This is not financial, legal, or religious advice. Please consult a qualified scholar for your specific situation. We do not issue fatwas.
Technology is the backbone of the modern world. Generally, acquiring knowledge ('Ilm) and building useful tools is highly praiseworthy in Islam. However, code is power, and power can be used for good or evil. The permissibility of your job often depends on what you are building and who you are building it for.
Scholarly consensus overview
1. Code is a Tool
In principle, writing code (C++, Python, JavaScript) is a neutral skill, like carpentry. There is nothing inherently Islamic or Un-Islamic about a `for` loop.
If you build a website for a bakery, it is Halal. If you use the exact same code to build a website for a casino, it becomes Haram. The ruling is derived from the Purpose and End Use of the software.
2. The 'End Use' Problem
The Quranic principle is: "Do not cooperate in sin and aggression" (5:2).
Scholars generally agree that if your work is directly creating a platform for sin (e.g., coding the algorithm for a betting site, or the interest-calculator for a bank), your income is impermissible. You are the architect of the sin.
However, if you work for a large company (like Amazon or Google) that has some haram elements (e.g., selling alcohol on a marketplace), but your role is generic (e.g., fixing server infrastructure), many scholars allow this as your contribution is remote and indirect.
Code vs Context
Writing code is generally permissible (Halal), but what is that code used for?
Building a learning platform is a noble act. The code serves a beneficial purpose (Maslahah).
3. Data Privacy & Trust
For Data Scientists and Analysts, the issue is Privacy (Satr) and Trust (Amanah).
Islam places immense value on privacy. Spying on people (Tajassus) is forbidden. Building systems that harvest user data without consent, or selling private data to unethical brokers, violates the trust users placed in the platform. You are an Amin (Trustee) of that data.
Data & Privacy (Amanah)
As a developer or data scientist, you are a trustee (Amin) of user data. Misusing it violates Amanah.
Spying (Tajassus)
Tracking users without consent or selling their private data to brokers can be considered sinful spying. The Quran (49:12) forbids Tajassus.
Encryption & Trust
Protecting user data is a religious duty. Negligence leading to a leak is a breach of trust.
4. AI & Ethical Responsibility
With the rise of AI, developers effectively "teach" machines how to make decisions. If you train a model on biased data that discriminates against minorities (e.g., in hiring or policing), you bear ethical responsibility for the injustice (Zulm) that system causes.
Muslim technologists are encouraged to build "Ethical AI" that maximizes benefit and minimizes harm, aligning with the goals of Shariah (Maqasid).
Pivot Your Skills
If your current industry (e.g. Gambling/Music) is problematic, your tech skills are highly transferable.
HealthTech
Directly saving lives (Hifz al-Nafs). Highly rewarded.
GreenTech
Protecting the environment (Stewardship/Khalifa). Permissible and noble.
EdTech
Spreading knowledge (Ilm). High impact.
GovTech
Serving the public interest (Maslahah). Generally allowed.
Where scholars usually draw the line
Direct vs Indirect Involvement.
- • The Core Product: If the core product is Haram (e.g., OnlyFans, Bet365), you cannot work there, even as a cleaner or IT support, as the entire enterprise is "Sin".
- • Generic Tools: Building generic tools (like Excel or Stripe) that could be used by sinful companies is allowed. You are building a hammer; if someone uses it for murder, the fault is not on the blacksmith.
Summary
- Tech is Halal: It is a praiseworthy field of innovation.
- Code for Good: Avoid industries that are fundamentally Haram (Gambling, Pornography, Riba-Bank Core Systems).
- Respect Data: Uphold user privacy and digital trust as a religious duty.
Transparency
How we wrote this
We applied the general Fiqh rules of 'Assisting in Sin' (I'anah) to the modern context of software development and data processing.
- Quran 5:2 (Cooperation in righteousness vs sin)
- Quran 49:12 (Prohibition of Spying/Tajassus)
- Contemporary fatwas on working in non-Islamic banks/fintech.