Is It Permissible to Work as an Academic Writer for a Company?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I have been working in an academic writing firm for six years or so. Although all our websites have a clear disclaimer that “All writings we provide are solely for personal understanding only.” But I have read on many websites that this is not halal.
Is it haram, and if so, what do I do with my savings?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health.
One would be allowed to work as an academic writer if the work does not consist of writing about immoral, lewd characters, shameless content, which leads to destructive character, etc.
Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The excellence of a person’s Islam is his leaving that which does not concern him.” [Tirmidhi]
The Prophet (Allah Bless Him and Give Him Peace) Narrates Israelite Stories
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) would narrate stories from the children of Israel until the morning came. The Prophet would not stand up but for the greatness of prayer. [Abu Dawud]
This hadith shows it is permissible to listen to unusual and peculiar stories that one does not have to verify for the purpose of relaxation and pleasure, and moral building. [Ibn ’Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
Ruling of Salary
One’s wage and salary will also be permissible if the writing consists of decent topics. If the writing contains immoral and unethical content, one’s wage will be impermissible. However, it would be better to work for a company where one gets to choose the topic and kind of academic writing and topics that can be beneficial and constructive for the readers. [Rada al-Haq, Fatawa Darul Ulum Zakariyya]
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
