Helping job seekers find jobs that may include unlawful aspects

30-12-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. A friend and I are thinking about starting a business in Europe, where we live. In short, our 'product' will link people who want to work with people who are looking for workers. Our question is, since Europe is not an Islamic country, some company might, for example, want someone to work in a restaurant in which alcohol is served or at a festival etc., and then the worker and the one looking for a worker will meet through us. Should we proceed and start, or should we leave it?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The basic principle is that it is permissible to earn money by mediating between job seekers and employers; however, it is impermissible to mediate in unlawful jobs, and the earnings obtained through such work are unlawful. If you could start your business provided that you mediate in lawful jobs only, then this is permissible. If you would be obliged to mediate in unlawful jobs, then this is impermissible.

Allah knows best.