Can I Work for a Company Making Products Used for Manufacturing Weapons?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I gave an interview to work for a software company, that makes an engineering software product, which can be used by auto manufacturers and aerospace projects, such as satellites.

I asked the interviewer whether this product will be used for making weapons. He said it is possible in the future.

Could you advise if it is permissible for me to take the job?

Answer:  Walaikum assalam,

I hope you’re doing well, insha’Allah.

What Permissibility of Work Depends Upon

The permissibility of your work is dependant on two factors: (a) the work you yourself do is permissible, and (b) it has permissible primary uses.

Beyond that, you’re not sinful nor considered “assisting in sin” if the customers of the company you work for use it in impermissible ways.

The Divine Prohibition, “Do not assist one another in sin and enmity,” [Qur’an] is understood to prohibit direct assistance. [Ibn al-Humam/Marghinani, Fath al-Qadir Sharh al-Hidaya; others]

Cases of Indirect Assistance in Harm or Sin

However, when there is clear indirect relationship between your work and something harmful or sinful, then it is recommended (mustahabb) to seek alternative employment, if available—and striving to do so is from both caution and God-consciousness (taqwa).

This needs to be balanced with the duty to provide for oneself and family, one’s financial responsibilities (such as paying debts), and other considerations.

Turn to Allah, perform the prayer of seeking guidance, and ask your heart what choice is most likely to be pleasing to Allah, given all above considerations.

Please see this reader.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a scholar and researcher of Islamic law and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance Global After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance Global to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge—both online and on the ground—in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He has been repeatedly listed as one of the world’s 500 most influential Muslims (The Muslim500).