Ruling on Editing Videos That Involve Viewing Indecent Content
6-4-2026 | IslamWeb
Question:
Peace be upon you,I work as a video editor. Sometimes I edit vlog videos in which women appear with incomplete hijab (without a headscarf or showing hair, neck, or lower legs). The videos do not contain obscene content; they only show daily life. I view the footage only as required for editing and without any desire.Is editing such videos permissible? Is the income halal? Does it make a difference whether the client who sends the video for editing is Muslim or non-Muslim?
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 (ﷺ) is His Slave and Messenger.
Editing such videos necessarily involves looking at parts of the body that must not be seen, without necessity or a valid need. Therefore, it is not permissible for you to engage in this work while being involved in looking at the exposed bodies of women.
The avenues of lawful provision are vast for the one who seeks them, so strive to work in editing beneficial videos that are free from anything prohibited in Islamic law.
As for working on editing such personal daily vlogs of immodestly dressed women—whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim—this is not permissible, because this type of editing involves assisting in sin, and Allah the Almighty has forbidden cooperation in sin, as He says (what means): {And do not cooperate in sin and transgression.} [Qur'an 5:2]
Furthermore, the ruling does not differ in its prohibition whether the client is Muslim or non-Muslim.
As for the money you previously earned from editing such videos, it is hoped that there is no harm in benefiting from it, if the predominant benefit of the video or its content was permissible, even if it included some prohibited elements, since what is overlooked as a secondary matter is not overlooked when it is intended directly.
However, you must refrain from editing such content in the future.
Allah Knows best.