Am I Encouraging Sin by Complimenting the Outfits or Hair of Non-Muslims?
Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad
Question
I design and sell jewelry. There are non-Muslims who buy and post pictures of themselves wearing it. Could I repost these pictures to show customer satisfaction? Some are dressed modestly but they show their hair.
Would I get sin in sharing pictures of women with their nakedness showing? Would that ruling extend to posting a picture with all my employees, some not Muslim?
Is it sinful if I posted pictures of Muslim women with their nakedness showing?
Answer
Thank you for your question. You are asking very good questions and I pray that you do what is right and be scrupulous on top of that. May Allah reward you for being careful and forthright.
Compliments
Complimenting the outfits and hair of another is not sinful, and you are not deemed responsible for the way they dress. However, it would not be suitable for a Muslim to compliment a non-Muslim on her choice of tank top and mini-skirt for the day, as that is lewd clothing and it should be seen as such and deserves no compliment.
Posting Pictures
Posting or reposting pictures of uncovered Muslim and non-Muslim women is potentially sinful because it is not permissible for a man to look at it, but it is for women. Following these rulings will give you more blessings in your business, and you will be safe from spreading any possible corruption. Remember that just because everyone does something, doesn’t mean it’s normal or OK for Muslims. We have our own standards, and those standards may or may not align with what others do in social media.
Options
A few options that come to mind are sending private photos of your customers wearing the jewelry to women only. Another option is to use velvet necklace stands. Another option is to advertise written reviews. If you close the doors to the impermissible, Allah, by His grace, will open doors of success, and ease in sha Allah. Please contemplate this hadith. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), said, “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah, the Almighty, but that Allah will replace it with something better.” [Ahmad]
Please see this link as well:
Can I Post a Photo That Shows ‘Awra?
Should I Remove Photos Online of Me Without Hijab?
May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.
