Selling Women’s Clothing and Using Women as Models

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: I am looking to start a small business on ebay selling vintage fashion. The target audience are young non-Muslim women and the clothing sold does not adhere to Islamic guidelines of dressing for women. Is it ok for me to sell such clothing items? If so what about marketing them? Am I allowed to use real women as models in photo shoots? Please help me gain some understanding about what is permissible.

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

Yes, it is permissible for you to sell such clothing items. Clothing has permissible uses and so your work is in and of itself permissible. How other people will use such permissible clothing does not effect the permissibility of your work. For further details, please see:

Is It Permissible to Work for a Casino Valet Parking Company?

As for displaying the clothing you are selling on female models, then this would only be permissible if they are covered properly. Otherwise, it would be not.

Salman