Halal to display pics of women without hijab for job/business/advertising?

[AStruggler]

Salaam,

A good relative of mine has recently launched a business, but a lot his in-store and online advertisements are of non-hijabi women wearing or using his products. Some of these advertisements don't necessarily show the most modestly clad women even as per non-Muslim standards. It's kind of bugging me because he's a great relative of mine and I'm not sure if I should say something...

Anyway, I just wanted to learn the relevant rules first:

1) Is it halal for a one, for the purposes of advertising, to use posters of women without hijab?

2) Same question as above, but let's say the advertisements are of young women wearing "fitness" clothing or non-professional and relatively revealing clothing than what would normally be seen in society on a normal day-to-day basis at formal or semi-formal settings (e.g. schools, offices, etc.) ?

3) Let's say one doesn't own the business, but is maybe a web-developer and has to set up or facilitate the set up of advertisements of non-hijabi women for their client's business. Would this be halal?

Edited August 21, 2021 by AStruggler

[KOI]

Salaam Alaykum!

For the business shop - if I walked into a store like this, I would question whether it is halal (if it is a market).

If it is a hardware or fitness shop which sounds more likely, I would simply ask why he needs these type of photos. There are plenty of photos with hijab sportswear or male photos to use if it needs to be sports.

There is the notion in advertising unfortunately that "sex sells" and if he is doing it for this purpose, I would question the halal-ness of his business practices.

As for non hijab for a client, I think it can be okay as long as they are modestly dressed. Since you may be working in a non Muslim country. I wouldn't do some work for a fitness website or some suggestive content. You can always put your own placeholder images and explain to the client that they may replace the images later with what they prefer after the contract has ended.

Sticky situations though should be avoided.

Remember if you do something or avoid something for the sake of Allah he will reward you multiple times more here or in the hereafter. So if you decline a contract even when money is tight, inshAllah you will receive something better with greater reward quickly.

JazakAllah

[AStruggler]

On 8/21/2021 at 9:47 PM, KOI said:

Salaam Alaykum!

For the business shop - if I walked into a store like this, I would question whether it is halal (if it is a market).

If it is a hardware or fitness shop which sounds more likely, I would simply ask why he needs these type of photos. There are plenty of photos with hijab sportswear or male photos to use if it needs to be sports.

There is the notion in advertising unfortunately that "sex sells" and if he is doing it for this purpose, I would question the halal-ness of his business practices.

As for non hijab for a client, I think it can be okay as long as they are modestly dressed. Since you may be working in a non Muslim country. I wouldn't do some work for a fitness website or some suggestive content. You can always put your own placeholder images and explain to the client that they may replace the images later with what they prefer after the contract has ended.

Sticky situations though should be avoided.

Remember if you do something or avoid something for the sake of Allah he will reward you multiple times more here or in the hereafter. So if you decline a contract even when money is tight, inshAllah you will receive something better with greater reward quickly.

JazakAllah

Missed this earlier. Thanks for your post, it was definitely helpful and insightful!

Would be interesting if someone could also post the views of the maraje on this too. 

[Ashvazdanghe]

Salam

Islamic Business Ethics

7.3 Your Business B 2) Haram Business and Trade

https://www.shiavault.com/books/islamic-business-ethics/chapters/12-7-3-your-business-b-2-haram-business-and-trade/

Investment

https://www.sistani.org/english/qa/01227/

 

Quote

Question: Is it permissible to engage in network marketing or work in pyramid companies?

Answer: His Eminence, Grand Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah grant him long life) does not allow or rectify such transactions.

https://www.sistani.org/english/qa/02673/