Is It Permissible to Work as a Ghostwriter for Business Coaches?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it permissible to work as a ghostwriter for business coaches, where I repurpose their content and help sell their courses, though the work is published under their name?
Answer
In the name of Allah (Most High), and with blessings upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace),
Yes, it is permissible to work as a ghostwriter under the following conditions:
- Transparency with the Client: The business coach must be aware that you are the one creating or enhancing the content, and there should be no deception involved.
- Ethical Content: The content must be ethical and in line with Islamic values. It should not promote anything impermissible, deceptive, or harmful.
- Honesty in Marketing: When adding persuasive elements to help sell their courses, ensure that the marketing is truthful and does not exaggerate or make false claims.
As long as these conditions are met, ghostwriting for business coaches is permissible.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
