Ten Prohibited Professions in Islam: A Comprehensive View
Introduction
Work in Islam is considered both an act of worship and a duty upon Muslims, as Islam encourages honorable work and lawful earnings. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “No one has ever eaten better food than that which one has earned by working with one’s own hands. The Prophet of Allah, David (peace be upon him), used to eat from the earnings of his manual work.” Nevertheless, Islam has established guidelines and rulings for permissible work, prohibiting certain professions and occupations that contradict its principles and values.
In this article, we will examine ten professions prohibited in Islam, explaining the reasons for their prohibition from an Islamic perspective. It is worth noting that these prohibitions are based on the objectives of Islamic law in preserving religion, life, intellect, wealth, and honor, and in achieving the general welfare of the Muslim community.
1. Manufacturing and Selling Alcoholic Beverages
The production and sale of alcoholic beverages is one of the most prominent prohibited professions in Islam, based on Allah’s prohibition of alcohol in the Quran: “O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry, and divination are abominations from Satan’s handiwork. So avoid them that you may be successful.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 90).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cursed ten people in relation to alcohol: “The one who presses it, the one for whom it is pressed, the one who drinks it, the one who carries it, the one to whom it is carried, the one who serves it, the one who sells it, the one who consumes its price, the one who purchases it, and the one for whom it is purchased.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah).
The prohibition of this profession is due to the severe harm that intoxicants cause to individuals and society, including health destruction, waste of wealth, family breakdown, and the spread of crimes and accidents.
2. Working in Interest-Based Financial Institutions
Working in banks and financial institutions that deal with interest (riba) is considered prohibited in Islam, whether by writing interest contracts, witnessing them, guarding them, or any work that contributes to the spread and facilitation of interest.
Allah says: “O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if you are indeed believers.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 278). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cursed the consumer of usury, its payer, its recorder, and its two witnesses, saying, “They are all equal [in sin].” (Narrated by Muslim).
This prohibition excludes working in Islamic banks and financial institutions that adhere to Islamic law and adopt Sharia-compliant alternatives to interest-based transactions.
3. Professions Related to the Production and Distribution of Pornography
Producing, publishing, and distributing pornographic materials, whether printed, visual, or electronic, as well as working in social media or electronic platforms that promote pornographic content, are absolutely prohibited in Islam.
The prohibition of these professions is based on Sharia evidence that forbids obscenity and calls for lowering one’s gaze and guarding one’s chastity. Allah says: “And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.” (Surah Al-Isra: 32).
This industry also causes severe damage to society, including the spread of immorality, family disintegration, moral decay, and the degradation of human dignity, especially women’s dignity.
4. Manufacturing Idols and Statues for Worship
Among the prohibited professions in Islam is the manufacturing of idols and statues that are worshipped besides Allah, or those intended for veneration and sanctification, as this resembles the practices of polytheists and serves as a means to polytheism.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The people who will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection will be the image-makers.” (Agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim), referring to those who make three-dimensional statues.
The ruling on making statues varies according to their purpose. If they are for children’s toys or for purely educational purposes, some contemporary scholars have permitted them out of necessity, with Sharia controls.
5. Professions Related to Gambling
Working in gambling halls and casinos is prohibited in Islam, whether as a manager, employee, or guard. This also includes designing and developing electronic gambling games, marketing them, or supervising specialized websites in this field.
Allah says: “O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, idolatry, and divination are abominations from Satan’s handiwork. So avoid them that you may be successful.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah: 90).
The prohibition of these professions is due to gambling’s negative effects on individuals and society, such as addiction, waste of wealth, family breakdown, and the spread of enmity and hatred among people.
6. Professions Related to Magic and Charlatanism
Among the professions prohibited in Islam are the practice of magic, charlatanism, soothsaying, and fortune-telling, as well as teaching them, promoting them, or working in centers, satellite channels, or websites specializing in this field.
Allah says: “And they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 102). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever approaches a soothsayer and asks him about something, his prayer will not be accepted for forty nights.” (Narrated by Muslim).
Magic is considered one of the major sins in Islam because it involves polytheism, seeking help from devils, and manipulating people’s minds by deluding them with falsehoods.
7. Working in the Production and Promotion of Drugs
The production, cultivation, manufacturing, promotion, and trafficking of drugs are absolutely prohibited professions in Islam due to the severe harm they cause to human health, intellect, wealth, family, and society.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every intoxicant is khamr (wine), and every khamr is prohibited.” (Narrated by Muslim). Drugs fall under the category of prohibited intoxicants, and in many cases, they are even more harmful.
Contemporary scholars have unanimously agreed on the prohibition of all types and derivatives of drugs, and the obligation to combat and confront them due to the economic, social, health, and security damage they cause to society.
8. Professions Related to Prohibited Singing and Dancing
Among the professions prohibited in Islam are indecent singing accompanied by music that stimulates desires, and lewd dancing that violates public morals, whether in parties, nightclubs, or satellite channels.
It is also prohibited to work in organizing, marketing, or managing indecent musical parties that include forbidden elements such as unlawful mixing of genders, alcohol consumption, and immodest dress.
Allah says: “And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment.” (Surah Luqman: 6). Some companions and successors interpreted “idle talks” as forbidden singing.
This excludes permissible singing that is free from prohibitions, such as Islamic anthems and purposeful national songs, as well as singing at family occasions with Sharia controls.
9. Professions Related to Commercial Fraud and Deception
Among the professions prohibited in Islam are working in product counterfeiting, trademark imitation, and consumer deception, as well as marketing fraudulent, expired, or health-harmful products.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever cheats us is not one of us.” (Narrated by Muslim). He also said: “The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return goods as long as they have not parted. If both parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction. If they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost.” (Agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim).
This category also includes professions related to false marketing and misleading advertisements that promote products with fictional, unreal characteristics, or that exploit consumer ignorance and need.
10. Professions Related to Oppression and Aggression Against Others
Among the professions prohibited in Islam are working in criminal organizations or armed gangs that practice theft, kidnapping, assassinations, or terrorism, as well as spying on Muslims for the benefit of their enemies.
This category also includes working in oppressive regimes that assault people, violate their rights, and confiscate their freedoms, if the work involves participating in oppression, justifying it, or defending it.
Allah says: “And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped.” (Surah Hud: 113). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.” It was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, we help the one who is oppressed, but how do we help the one who is an oppressor?” He said, “By preventing him from oppressing [others].” (Narrated by Bukhari).
Conclusion
After reviewing the professions prohibited in Islam, it is clear that the prohibition of these professions is based on the objectives of Islamic law in preserving religion, life, intellect, wealth, and honor, and in achieving the general welfare of society.
In contrast, Islam encourages lawful work and seeking halal (permissible) livelihood in all its forms and types. Allah says: “It is He who made the earth subservient to you, so walk in its paths and eat from His provision, and to Him is the resurrection.” (Surah Al-Mulk: 15).
Muslims should strive to earn lawful wealth and avoid the prohibited. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, and between them are doubtful matters that many people do not know about. Whoever avoids these doubtful matters has safeguarded his religion and his honor, and whoever falls into these doubtful matters has fallen into the unlawful.” (Agreed upon by Bukhari and Muslim).
And Allah knows the best.
