Is DTP Work for Non-Muslim Religious Festivals Permissible? Understanding Halal Guidelines

Navigating Halal Guidelines in DTP Work for Religious Texts and Festivals

Question: Is it permissible to engage in DTP work (designing, typing, printing) that involves tasks related to the festivals, birthdays, etc., of Hindus, Jews, and Christians, such as typing and printing their books like the Bible, Bhagavad Gita, and creating posters for their rituals and funerals? Is this trade permissible and is this work halal?

Answer: Allah, the Lord of all worlds, has commanded us to earn a lawful livelihood, as stated in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ (المؤمنون: 51)

"O Messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing."

While Allah commands us to consume pure and lawful sustenance, He also forbids impure and unlawful things. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا طَيِّبًا (صحيح مسلم: 2346)

"O people, Allah is pure and accepts only that which is pure."

Therefore, we must consume pure things and earn pure things through lawful means. Any earnings obtained through unlawful means are considered impure and are not permissible for Muslims. The trade mentioned in the question involves assisting in sinful and disobedient acts. Earnings obtained by assisting in sin are not halal. Allah has forbidden cooperation in sin and transgression:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ (المائدة: 2)

"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty."

Preparing and printing religious books and items for Judaism, Christianity, and Hinduism is a sin that will have lasting effects. Those who use these sinful items will continue to accumulate sins, and the Muslim who provided these items will share in their sins. Consider this hadith for reflection:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

مَن دَعا إلى هُدًى، كانَ له مِنَ الأجْرِ مِثْلُ أُجُورِ مَن تَبِعَهُ، لا يَنْقُصُ ذلكَ مِن أُجُورِهِمْ شيئًا، ومَن دَعا إلى ضَلالَةٍ، كانَ عليه مِنَ الإثْمِ مِثْلُ آثامِ مَن تَبِعَهُ، لا يَنْقُصُ ذلكَ مِن آثامِهِمْ شيئًا (صحيح مسلم: 2674)

"Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to those who follow it, without detracting from their rewards at all. And whoever calls to misguidance will bear a burden of sin similar to those who follow it, without detracting from their burdens at all."

Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to engage in trade related to the religious items of Jews, Christians, and Hindus.

 Sheikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi حفظه الله

❪Jeddah Dawah Center, Hayy Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia❫