Freelancing Halal or Haram in Islam? – Scholars Opinion

In freelancing, you have a great opportunity to work and earn with no limit. There is a variety of work nature that you can do remotely. You can earn more than some local jobs.

But the question is: Is freelancing halal or haram in Islam? or Is Freelance work permissible and legal? When you are working as a freelancer and you are a Muslim, you should know about the nature of the work which you are going to do. Before working as a freelancer, you have to clarify some rules about working as a freelancer in regard to Islam.

Freelancing is a contract-based profession where instead of being recruited by a company or an organization. A freelancer is self-employed and works according to his/her own will and interest from any place. There is no time limit or duration fixed for a freelancer. Freelancing is a project-based job.

In Islam, freelancing halal or haram depends on which kind of work you are offering. You have to know whether is it legal in Islamic Shareeha or not.

Nature of Freelancing Work

There are different types of freelancing work.

1. A seller on a platform like Fiverr, UpWork, etc.
2. Associated with an online company
3. Direct online clients

Read also: Top 20 Halal Passive Income Ideas

Freelancing Halal or Haram in Islam? – Scholars Opinion

Freelancing is like any other job one can do in a government or private company. It depends on which kind of work you are doing. Every freelance job is haram and illegal in Islam which is against the Islamic rule of Shareeha. So, Freelancing is halal and permissible when you follow the rules of earning and don’t deal with haram things.

For example, if you offer an online music lesson then it is against the Islamic Shareeha and it is totally haraam. If you work for an alcoholic brand, then it is haram. On the other hand, if you offer an online Quran learning class, then it is halaal and permissible.

What does the Quran Say?

“Eat and drink of that which Allah hath provided, and do not act corruptly, making mischief in the earth.” [Quran 2, 60]. It means there is no strict rule for earning but not corrupt.

“And there is not a beast in the earth but the sustenance thereof dependeth on Allah. He knoweth its habitation and its repository. All is in a clear Record.” [Quran 11, 6].

“A time will come upon the people when one will not care how one gains one’s money, legally or illegally.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 2059]. Keep in mind this hadith. Don’t adopt any profession that is illegal.

Follow Shareeha guidelines and adopt that profession in freelancing which is not against Islamic rules. It is totally freehand for earning money, but you have to adopt the correct method and legal halal things. Some haraam acts are mentioned above that you can’t adopt in any situation. You can’t adopt such haraam professions indirectly.

If you don’t go against the Islamic rules in freelancing work, then there is no wrong with freelancing.

Read also: 22 Profitable Halal Jobs For Muslim Sisters

Haraam Jobs in Islam

Earning a decent livelihood is a fundamental part of faith. So be careful when adopting any profession. Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The flesh and body that is raised on unlawful sustenance shall not enter Paradise. Hell is more deserving to the flesh that grows on one’s body out of unlawful sustenance”.

1. Any music and dance-related work
2. Any blasphemy content
3. Photo editing of females
4. For any nakedness of men or women
5. Making or Selling idols or statute
6. Working for a sect engages Interest(Riba)
7. Drugs-related jobs
8. For gambling
9. Any fraudulent service
10. Corruption involved
11. For any pork work
12. Any work for an alcoholic company or individual
13. And some trades of Crypto (not all)

What does the Quran say?

“Allah enlargeth livelihood for whom He will, and straiteneth (it for whom He will); and they rejoice in the life of the world, whereas the life of the world is but brief comfort as compared with the Hereafter.” [Quran 13, 26].

“And Allah hath favoured some of you above others in provision.” [Quran 16, 71].

“Lo! thy Lord enlargeth the provision for whom He will, and straiteneth (it for whom He will). Lo, He was ever Knower, Seer of His slaves.” [Quran 17, 30].

When Freelancing Is Not Allowed/Haraam?

Freelancing is haram in some situations.

• When you are an employee of a company or institute, and you don’t complete your job work and do your freelance work
• When you are working for a company that offers haraam services
• When you can’t do the desired work, but you take the project
• When you don’t fulfill the requirements of the client after the deal
• When you can’t deliver at the time but promise to deliver within a fixed limit time

If you follow Shareeha guidelines, then freelancing and online income are halal and permitted in Islam.

Islamic Rules for Freelancing by Islamic Scholars

• Take full requirements in the agreement
• Don’t take that project which you can’t do
• Complete the project at any price when you deal with it
• Don’t cheat with work
• Don’t work for haraam things
• Always try to speak the truth

These rules are derived from Islamic Shareeha.

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