Q:

Salam alykom,

I have been designing for a long time now . My designs are drama actors , I draw them without faces. They act in dramas of romance , that don’t include mature content or violence, just mystery. The designs I sell them in forms of shirts , phone covered , etc… then yesterday I got an order from a customer to do a customized order , the order included drawing a portrait of a singer without the face. I was little bit worried since I don’t like supporting singers due to the fact she might idolize it , but In the process of designing it was none of my intention for her to idolize . After all it’s not me and I am not making her like the singer more . The singer I suppose she’s not halal since there’s instruments . I don’t know what to do with everything I’m in a pit of full confusion . The more I dig in, the more I get confused about these things , please help.

A:

Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

Although designing drama actors in itself cannot be deemed haram as long as they are used to impart education and knowledge while observing the strict rules of Islamic ethics. Islam is all for art as long as it serves an ethically sound purpose, intended to raise society’s moral standard.

So, once you are confident that your work serves this purpose and does not contribute to spread vices and corruption, you need not worry.

If, however, your conscience bothers you, then you should not continue with this profession. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Piety is that which bestows peace and serenity on your heart, and vice is that which causes agitation and anxiety; and he continued, “Consult your conscience, even if the muftis give you another advice.” (Reported by Ahmad and others)

Almighty Allah knows best.