Fariq Naik – Making Software but Afraid of Misuse

My name is Muhammad Nahyan from Bangladesh.

My question is, is it okay to become

a software developer as I fear that the

software that I create may lead to fitna?

Hopefully my question will be answered.

As far as softwares are concerned, softwares can

basically be divided into three types.

The first are the softwares that are the

non-Islamic softwares.

For example, software related to history, to geography,

certain mobile softwares.

The second type of softwares, they are the

un-Islamic softwares or the un-Islamic apps.

For example, dating apps, gambling apps, apps that

involve in things that are haram.

And we find that these apps, they are

very prevalent today.

The dating apps, the gambling apps, the betting

apps, all of these but naturally they are

haram.

The third type of softwares or apps are

the Islamic softwares or the Islamic apps.

For example, apps of the glorious Quran, apps

of a Hadith, apps related to the Adhan.

For example, the Adhan timings, apps for Dawah,

apps in order to convey the message of

Islam to non-Muslims.

Apps that serve as a tool for answering

questions to non-Muslims.

Children's apps that teach them the basic tenets

of Islam.

As far as the non-Islamic apps are

concerned, if they do not contain anything that

is haram, anything that is prohibited, as long

as they are within the purviews of the

Islamic Sharia, but naturally an individual can develop

such apps and use such apps.

The un-Islamic apps, but naturally we cannot

develop them because they involve things that are

haram.

Whereas the Islamic apps, it is good and

rather we are encouraged to make Islamic apps.

Unfortunately, the Muslims, they are very backward as

far as software development is concerned.

So, a person can make any software, he

can develop any software as long as it

is within the purviews of the Islamic Sharia.

It should not involve in anything that is

haram.

Unfortunately, we see many of the apps today,

they involve in things that are haram.

For example, they may have music, they may

have women on these apps.

So, all of this should be avoided.

If we are developing any app, we should

see to that it is within the purviews

of the Islamic Sharia.

So, developing an app is no problem.

If someone misuses this app and uses this

and spreads some fitna, then that is his

lookout.

As long as the person who is developing

the app takes all precaution that it does

not involve in anything that is haram, then

there is no problem in developing such an

app.

I would like to give an example.

For example, a person manufactures a car.

His purpose is that it should serve as

a means of transportation.

But if someone misuses this car, for example,

if a person uses for criminal activities, for

transporting drugs or for other criminal activities, then

that is the person who is misusing it,

it is his lookout.

Similarly, if a person starts a business of

renting out cars, as long as he does

not involve in anything that is haram, inshallah,

there is no problem in it.

If he rents his car to someone and

this individual who is taking the car on

rent, if he takes this car to a

pub or to a bar or for gambling

or for something that is haram, that is

his lookout.

So, developing any software, as long as it

is within the purviews of the Islamic Sharia,

there is no problem in developing softwares.

And we should see to it that we

develop Islamic softwares that will benefit the Ummah.

For example, apps, apps of the Adhan, apps

related to Dawah, that will give information about

Islam, apps for children, which is very important.

We see that the children, they play a

lot of games on the mobile phones and

other games as well.

And many a times, these games, they have

something or the other that is haram.

Either they have music, many of these games,

they have women that are not dressed etc.

So, we should give alternatives to the children.

We should have Islamic apps that teach the

basic tenets of Islam, the teachings of Islam

to our children, so that the children from

a young age, they are brought up in

an Islamic environment.

Giving alternatives to the children, it is very

important.

And from a young age, the right tarbiyah

and upbringing should be given to the children,

so that from a young age, they know

regarding Islam.

And from a young age, they are aware

regarding the teachings of Islam.

So, I hope that answers your question.