Making and selling bed phone holder

22-6-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I am planning to make a product called the zeno bed phone holder or something along those lines. If you search the phrase 'bed phone holder' on google, then there are plenty for sale already. However, the one I am planning to make is better and easier to use. It is a clear transparent shelf that you attach to the wall behind your bed, and then you put your phone on top of the shelf, and because it is transparent, you can see the phone screen through the glass. The purpose for which I want to make this is because, firstly, using your phone in bed normally requires you to tilt your head forward, and a study revealed that this is a major cause of neck pain. This shelf will allow you to watch your phone without tilting your head as the phone will be set at eye-level. this will reduce the strain on your neck. This product will also allow you to watch videos and read hands free and be useful for babies and older people who cannot hold the phone themselves. Now, my question is: am I allowed to sell these in Islam? Will I be held responsible for making it easier to watch haram videos? These could potentially make it easier for people to watch haram videos. However, it could also make it easier to watch Islamic videos and read the Quran and other Islamic books, and the main purpose is to actually combat neck pain. People are going to watch what they will watch anyway. This just makes it easier to watch and reduces neck strain while watching. The product would be sold in the UK and will be sold online, so I would not know who would buy it and for what purpose, but I presume that most users would be elderly and maybe disabled, back and neck pain patients, children and babies, and teenagers. Please tell me whether it would be permissible to sell this or not? May Allaah reward you for taking the time to read this. I will look forward to your reply.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

There is no harm for you to make and sell this product. The basic principle is that all things are lawful (unless proven otherwise). What you mentioned does not affect this principle. So you are allowed to make this product and sell it.

Allaah knows best.