I am a senior software professional and want to be an entrepreneur. I have collaborated with 2 other folks (a husband and wife) who come from business development and marketing bkgd. respectively. The concept that we want to start with is to develop an FM Radio app which will allow users to listen to FM Radio using a smartphone. This app would also provide analytics and other features apart for being a medium of streaming radio. However we are going to take this app to various other segments (food, shopping, etc.) in the future. And we are starting in FM sector because there is a need and it will allow us quick entry into the market.
I have a couple of questions;
1. Is it permissible to collaborate with co-founders with one being a female? I talk to her in her husband’s presence always and maintain a very professional approach.
2. Is it permissible per Islam to develop an FM Radio app since this app developed by me/us would be make users listen to music, etc. Would I be part of Shr in this case?
Requesting your response at the earliest to help me take appropriate steps and lead a halal lifestyle and earn halal income.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
1. Shari’ah prohibits one from interacting with the opposite gender in any way. Consider the following verse:
قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ . وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ
Translation: Tell the believing men to lower their gazes, and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And say to the believing women that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts. (24:30-31)
As such, it is best to only interact with men at one’s work place and refrain from any interaction with women. However, if one’s job requires one to interact with women then it should be limited to the level of necessity keeping one’s gazes down.
2. In principle, it is permissible to develop radio applications for smartphones, etc. as long as it serves an educational or religious purpose and does not entail of any sin or evil. However, it is prevalent that its usage is predominately for the wrong purposes. Whilst it is understood that in developing a FM radio app users will have access to lawful content, however, it goes without saying that it will also allow countless number of users to listen to haram content such as music etc. as you have stated in the query. Therefore, it would be reprehensible[1] for one to develop a FM radio app.
We advise that you work on a different concept in the field of your work.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Fahad Abdul Wahab
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
[1] احسن الفتاوي ج٦ ص ٥٤٣ ايج ايم سعيد ” القول المبرهن في بيع الراديو والتيليويزن”
المرجع السابق ص٥٠٥
جواهر الفقه ج٧ ص٢٩٦ مكتبه دار العلوم كراجي