Halal and Haram

Assalāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh,

I hope you are well and in the best of īmān and health.

My name is Ali. I am a 37-year-old software engineer living in Canada, and I follow the Ḥanafī madhhab. I have two young children (ages 5 and 3), and I strive to maintain an Islamic environment in my personal and family life.

I’ve recently been reading about the position of Imam ʿAbd al-Ghanī al-Nābulusī (rahimahullāh), a later Ḥanafī scholar, who is reported to have held the view that musical instruments—such as the guitar or drums—are not inherently ḥarām. His opinion, as I understand it, is that instruments are only sinful if accompanied by unlawful content, gatherings, or lead to heedlessness or disobedience. Otherwise, in a private setting and with the proper intention, they would not be categorically prohibited.

Specifically, he is said to have permitted:
- Playing musical instruments alone, not in public or mixed gatherings,
- Using them strictly as a creative outlet or skill-building exercise,
- Avoiding lewd or vulgar lyrical content,
- Ensuring that the practice does not interfere with religious obligations or lead to spiritual harm.

My questions are:
- Is this position of Imam Nābulusī recognized as a valid minority view within the Ḥanafī school?
- Based on this position, would a person who plays a guitar or drums privately, under these strict conditions, be considered sinful?

I understand that the dominant Ḥanafī opinion prohibits musical instruments beyond the duff, but I am seeking clarity on whether Nābulusī’s view is within the boundaries of valid scholarly disagreement (ikhtilāf muʿtabar) according to Ḥanafī principles.

JazākumAllāhu khayran for your time and guidance. May Allah reward you for your efforts in serving the dīn.

Wassalāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh,
Ali Farooq

Aslamu Aleykum
I am a licensed taxi driver working in Barcelona, Spain. I bought my license for around €135,000 and am strictly required by law to use the taximeter at all times. That means I cannot adjust my prices, even when the streets are full of customers and demand is very high.

Meanwhile, companies like Uber, Cabify, and Bolt — operating under what we call "VTC" licenses here — are allowed to increase their prices based on demand. During peak hours, weekends, or rain, they can charge double, triple, or even more. This happens regularly, and it's completely legal.

What frustrates me deeply is that we, the professional drivers, with more training and a lower accident rate than VTC drivers, are the ones under the tightest restrictions. It feels unfair, and sometimes it honestly makes me angry. We follow stricter rules, yet we are punished with fixed rates in a competitive market that rewards flexibility.

I see many fellow taxi drivers — including Muslims — offering fixed prices higher than the meter during busy times. The client agrees, there's no trick involved, and they make more money.

I truly want to do the same. It’s painful to see others earning more while I hold back. But I stop myself because I believe it might be haram. This belief controls me, and I stay within the rules — even when it feels unfair and I’m losing income.

I am struggling, and I need answers to these sincere questions:
Is it haram to agree on a higher fixed fare with a client during peak times — if they accept clearly, and there is no deception?

In specific cases, such as picking up wealthy clients from luxury hotels, is it haram to add a small extra charge (e.g. €2.50 or €4.50) without informing them, knowing that this amount doesn’t harm them and they likely wouldn’t even notice — although I understand it’s not legally allowed?

This situation is not just confusing — it affects my faith, motivation, and mental peace. I want to earn a living that is halal, but I also want to be treated fairly in a system that feels stacked against us.

I also believe many Muslim taxi drivers around the world share these same doubts and feelings. Your answer could help more than just me.

I am working as a recruiter. My main duties are basically cold calling clients to see if anyone is currently hiring or will soon hire and find candidates to according to the clients' needs. Recruiters get commission of a certain percentage of a years salary from the client.
I always make sure the job itself that I am recruiting for is halal.
Oftentimes, recruiters get in touch with candidates who are currently employed and give them lucrative incentive of their clients' so the candidate who's employed changes job. This might really be beneficial for the candidate in terms of their career and salary.
1) Is this act permissible?
2) Does this fall under the hadith of selling an item at a lower price after someone else has made an agreement already? (inducing employees during the period of the contract to leave their jobs and move to another one just in order to get a commission from them)
3) Most importantly, what if the candidate him/herself is looking to change to a new job by posting their CV online waiting for recruiters to contact them with the opportunity of a new job. (Passively looking candidates)
4) The candidate has not signed a contract with the current company on how long to work and can leave the company anytime with a month notice?
5) Similar to Q4. The candidate has signed the contract of working for a certain number of months and has met the requirement and can now leave with a month notice.

Please help me answer these 5 questions.
Really appreciate it.
May ALLAH Ta'ala bless you all.
Jazakallah Khair

Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I hope this message finds you well. I am seeking your guidance regarding the permissibility of using a certain cosmetic product, specifically the Fino Premium Touch hair mask by Shiseido. I want to ensure that it complies with Islamic dietary and purity laws before using it.

The product’s full ingredient list is as follows:

Water, Sorbitol, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Alcohol, Isopentyldiol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Hydroxypropyl Arginine Lauryl/Myristyl Ether HCl, Stearyl Dihydroxypropyldimonium Oligosaccharides, Glutamic Acid, Trehalose, Squalane, Steartrimonium Chloride, PEG-90M, PCA, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Polyquaternium-64, Hydrolyzed Wheat Starch, Royal Jelly Extract, Isopropyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Octyldodecanol, Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance, CI 15985.

From my research and understanding, I gather the following:

Most ingredients are derived from vegetable or synthetic sources.
Some ingredients, such as squalane, cetyl alcohol, and steartrimonium chloride, can potentially have animal origins but are usually sourced from plants or synthetically produced in modern cosmetics.
The product contains royal jelly extract, which is of bee origin but is generally considered permissible.
Even if some ingredients were originally animal-derived, the extensive chemical transformations they undergo during production may change their nature completely.
According to the principle of istihāla (transformation), substances originally impure or of animal origin may become pure and permissible if their properties and essence have significantly changed.
Given these points, I kindly seek your scholarly opinion:

Based on the ingredient list and the concept of istihāla, is it permissible for me to use this product as a Muslim woman?
Are there any concerns or additional precautions I should consider regarding such cosmetic products?
Thank you very much for your time and guidance.

JazakAllahu khairan.

I'm planning on taking a student loan for my masters as I have no other way. I don't have a job, though I'm activelylooking for one. My parents aren't able to pay (no relative is willing to help). I have no other option, I've looked into grants and all other things but I'm not eligible for anything. My father is not able to pay for my tuition. When I say I'm in dire need, I'm fully aware of my actions and I've no other choice. I've made countless duas. I know Allah will help me out. If I don't study, my life is done. The mental pressure is too much. If you live in a desi household you would know. I've no option left

As salam Aleykoum,

Does thinking that making a wish before blowing out the candles on the birthday cake is kufr ?

Assalamualaikum, my question is , if i can deduct the bank interest money, from the amount i have lend it to someone and there is no hope that they will return the money back, can i deduct my interest money in that and also what are the rules of using interest money and to whom can we give the interest money. Jazakallau khair

Salam I am writing this question on behalf of a dear friend who Is deeply disturbed. Mmy friend was experiencing depression and Istihada 2 years ago and she ended up cheating on her Islamic/Alimah exams- not all of them, a few of them. She doesn't remember 100% if she cheated or not, it was an online exam and she memorised the answer and wrote it on the paper before the exam but she doesn't remember if she referred to what she wrote or not, she doesn't remember if she backed spaced it. She has finished her course, had made sincere Tawbah and is consumed with guilt. She never called herself as Alimah, she refutes anyone who calls her an Alimah and she didn't go to her graduation.if someone asks her, she said she studied Quran and Hadith as she didn't cheat on those exams. She has been teaching on behalf of her teachers request and being doing Khidmat for the institution she studied with. She is scared to bring this up with her teachers as she doesn't know what she did. She regrets it immensely and wants to know if any of her Khidmat of Deen and teaching will be accepted by Allah, she wants to know if she should stop all Khidmat and teaching and leave the institute and just do Tawbah and have nothing to do with learning Ilm- she finds this very difficult to leave as she did Tawbah and wants to serve the Deen. If she earns any income teaching the Deen- is it Haram. Please can you guide her JazakhAllah Khair

Assalamualaikum warehmatullahi wabarakatuhu,

I am currently residing in Canada and work as a Software Engineer. I was recently approached by a group of individuals who asked me to venture with them for a startup. The core product for the start-up is a software that helps healthcare authorities in identifying the right type and location of a hospital based on the patient condition for scenarios where there are casualties or injuries and even illnesses such as Covid-19.

Recently, the co-founders of the startup told me that they are thinking to pitch the product to the Canadian armed forces with some customization required from me such as change in data inputs which would aid the army to transfer injured soldiers to appropriate healthcare facility during war.

I am worried now that I might end up helping the kuffaar and that my earning will also be haraam. My two main concerns are as followed:

1. Will I be considered as aiding the kuffaar army if I build such a software keeping in mind that the same core software (without the customization for the army) can be used to aid civilians as well? 

2. Will my earning from developing such a software be considered haraam? 

Looking forward to your response on this, Mufti sahab. JazakAllah khair.

As-Salam-Alaikum, I have previously asked a question similar to this but am a bit confused. My question is about a popular new brand among the community called “sisters and seekers” I have seen both Muslims and non Muslims wear it, but I think it is a non Muslims products. They sell hoodies etc and one of them says “holy” on it. Is it ok if I avoid that one product and can purchase there other ones if this is permissible. Their other clothing pieces usually have “seekers” or “skrs” jeans and similiar. I am sorry to repeat a similiar question but may Allah reward you for the clarification.
Jazak Allah

As-Salam-Alaikum, I would like to ask a question regarding buying a product. This piece of clothing is something I’ve seen Muslims wear but one of the other items from the seller says “holy” on one of the front of the hoodies. I am unsure if this is mocking/disrespectful in any way as I am overthinking buying from this company now. If I refrain from buying that particular piece but other parts from the seller is that ok and permissible.
Jazak Allah

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

My question is in regards to the punishment of consuming cannabis. Many scholars are of the view that the punishment for smoking cannabis is the same as drinking alcohol, including prayers not being accepted (rewarded) for 40 days. However, I wonder how they can be the same if cannabis can be consumed if for medicinal purposes while alcohol can never be consumed, even for medicine. This suggests that they are not exactly the same, and therefore the punishment may not be identical?

I have read that some jurists regard the impermissibility of cannabis as lower than the impermissibility of alcohol (both still impermissible of course).

Could you please advise?

JazakAllah khair

Making AI images of human beings or maybe making different avatars is permissible or not? I have seen videos of scholars where they say drawing is not permissible but I am very confused with AI images as I am currently earning money through making AI portraits (By their permission and making Youtube thumbnails that requires different avatars to be included ( the videos are halal ) and my thumbnail concepts are halal too.

I like to clarify whether working for large retail companies such as Amazon and Tesco is halal or haram?
Both Amazon and Tesco are selling alcohol, pork and haram food.
If I work for these companies as a data analyst where I don't sell haram products nor carry them nor promote them, will my job and income halal? Or is it still haram, because Amazon and Tesco are making their money also through selling haram products and even though I don't get involved directly, the salary I am receiving may get involved with the income of these products?

Assalamu Aleykum Shaykh

I provide workplace safety consultancy to clients. I inspect their workplaces for safety issues and advise them to implement appropriate control measures

I have a client who is a departmental shop owner.

I recently found out that one of services the shop provides is a counter for buying lottery ticket.

If I don’t cover this area, will the fee their pay for my service be considered halal? Or will it still be considered haram as the client generate income from the lottery ticket sales?

Salam alaykum,

I need to know if it is BACKBITING to say unwanted things in a WhatsApp group chat, where the person is not texting in the conversation/may not be present but is a member of the group chat.
Please explicitly state wether it is halal or haram.

Jazakallah kheyr

Salaam

A few weeks ago while at work I did something inappropriate. I made sure to check nobody was watching. However, I now believe that if I was caught doing this thing by someone else, it is potentially likely that I would be fired from my job. My job itself is Halal but now I am wondering whether my income is Halal as I have done something that may be a stackable offence and have just not told anyone

I have just converted to Islam and my job is selling reptiles. I would like to know if opening a store to sell beautiful, friendly, and harmless reptiles is halal or haram.

Assalamualikum, I recently learned of an American marketing company that requires me to provide product reviews, I have never purchased or utilized the product.

Is this money haram as basically I'm just submitting review for product which I never used? Also I intent to give this complete income in poor.

Assalam waaleykum

Where to even begin... Growing up in the united states i fell into gang culture and a shameful lifestyle. During the course of my unfortunate ventures i have commited a mountain of sins most of which are stealing(scamming, fraud, etc...). Unfortunately for me i was good at it and managed to make a lot of money doing so astaghfirullah. I have since left this shameful life and have changed my ways especially making tremendous efforts to earn an honest and halal living.

The issues lies when i came to know that repentance to allah alone does not suffice and the stolen wealth must be returned to the rightful owners which brings up a series of problems for me. 1- The amount of money i stole was A LOT, 90% of which i no longer have (either spent or was stolen from me ironically). 2- Due to the elaborate nature of the schemes i do not personally know any of the victims considering everything was done online using stolen data from people i do not know.

I have since been working hard and making a halal income which i have managed to accumulate a bit of wealth(no where near the amount stolen but nonetheless), i intend to repay this money to charity and attempt to make ammends for my wrong doings if i even live long enough to be able to clear this gigantic burden

My questions are the following:

1. Must i now forfeit all of my wealth to repay what ever i can of this debt including my halal earned income (no one is supporting me and i do not have a stable income because i am a freelancer)?

2. Must i forfeit any hopes of accumulating any wealth or success in this dunya considering all of my money must potentially go towards paying these debts which i may never live to pay off due to the big amount?

3. will allah forgive me if i were to die prior to being able to repay these debts regardless of the sincerity of my intentions to do so?

4. if i may keep a portion of my halal earnings moving forward what split do i have to work out. should i give 99% of everything only leaving money for food and rent? May i keep accumulating halal wealth (while maintaining the intention of paying back) to be able to afford a car, get married, support a family, etc...?

A swift response would be tremendously appreciated as this matter is troubling like none of you can believe. I often cry about this matter and feel as if mercy is on the verge of being unaffordable for me due to these disgusting actions i committed being astray in a difficult time in my life. I fear punishment in this life, the grave and the next life...

someone help me

Thank you, jazakallah khair