Q: A company that was founded and currently owned by a Muslim has the name ‘Hyperion.’ In Greek mythology, ‘Hyperion’ is the name of a child between the Sky and Earth deities. This is a formal definition of the word ‘Hyperion’: “Hyperion is a Titan and a son of Uranus and Gaia. He is married to his sister Theia and has three children – Helios, Selene and Eos. The name Hyperion means “he who goes before the sun” and may have arisen because he was sometimes thought of as the sun.” [“Hyperion.” Encyclopedia Mythica. 2015. Encyclopedia Mythica Online.] Hence, the name of this Muslim-owned company has the same kufr-shirk connotations as Nike. Please advise:
(1) Is it permissible to utilize the services of a company with such a name? They provide online courses in computer programming and similar services.
(2) Is it permissible to be employed in such a company?
A:
1. For permissible reasons it is permissible to use the service of this company. But when a Muslim is not committed to his deen it is safest to keep a distance from him.
2. As above.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)