Fariq Naik – Making Software but Afraid of Misuse
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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.