[zunaid]

As salamuwalaikum

This is kind of an important question and i hope everyone gets benifited by the answers. Alright first let me tell you that i am a part time graphics/ui designer / Illustrator. But i quit many of the part of my designing as in islam it is prohibited to draw humans or animals. And now a days i am trying to be careful with my work. Recently i was trying to make a logo template, and first thing i had in mind that i cant make any creature or face or any other human figure. So i decided to make a simple Letter mark logo for example a 3d letter of " N ". While designing few question was on my mind which led me to stop my design. And the question is what if the people who will buy my logo use the logo for a corrupted work purpose. I mean the company is bad and corrupted. And its not possible for me to find out whether they are good or bad always. Its like i am making knife for useful work and people buying it are using it for murder. Then will be committing sin for creating the design.
This has become a problem for me recently and i am kind of stuck in my work. And i kind of need to work as i need money for my activities. So any advice would be nice.

[YaNabi-Chemist]

It's down to your intention, so have pure intentions.

Nothing wrong with designing, it's what makes the world go round. Plus you make things look nice.

If you make knives in order to earn a halal living and understand that such knives should be used in a halal way (ie preparing food) then there is no sin in that. However, if you hope that one day somebody will use it to kill then that is bad.

Likewise, you could have a job that looks very rewarding but due to your intention you may deserve punishment in the akhirah. For example, being a care worker for disabled people and then intending to abuse those under your care.

[zunaid]

YaNabi-Chemist, on 01 July 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:

It's down to your intention, so have pure intentions.

Nothing wrong with designing, it's what makes the world go round. Plus you make things look nice.

If you make knives in order to earn a halal living and understand that such knives should be used in a halal way (ie preparing food) then there is no sin in that. However, if you hope that one day somebody will use it to kill then that is bad.

Likewise, you could have a job that looks very rewarding but due to your intention you may deserve punishment in the akhirah. For example, being a care worker for disabled people and then intending to abuse those under your care.

Thank you. The thing is i am making designs so that people use them for useful and good purposes. But i guess it wont be the case always because everyone is not good. Thus the question.

[YaNabi-Chemist]

well you need to use your intellect.

If you are asked to design a logo for a strip club, then you need to think twice.

It's decisions like these that really test your emaan.

[zunaid]

YaNabi-Chemist, on 01 July 2012 - 03:18 PM, said:

well you need to use your intellect.

If you are asked to design a logo for a strip club, then you need to think twice.

It's decisions like these that really test your emaan.

Bro that was actually a simple situation. My problem is like i make generic logo sometimes just for multiple sale. For example the letter "A" or any other letter. And think somebody bought it for a foodstore with letter A but what if somebody buy it and like you said use it for strip club. Its not really my fault. Or is it? Maybe i should include a disclosure policy or something. Like please use my design for good ethical purpose!

[YaNabi-Chemist]

zunaid, on 01 July 2012 - 03:28 PM, said:

Bro that was actually a simple situation. My problem is like i make generic logo sometimes just for multiple sale. For example the letter "A" or any other letter. And think somebody bought it for a foodstore with letter A but what if somebody buy it and like you said use it for strip club. Its not really my fault. Or is it? Maybe i should include a disclosure policy or something. Like please use my design for good ethical purpose!

you can't be held accountable for other peoples actions....

So if you are not aware of people actually using your work for bad then it should be fine. Disclosure policy is a good idea,

This post has been edited by YaNabi-Chemist: 01 July 2012 - 03:36 PM

[zunaid]

YaNabi-Chemist, on 01 July 2012 - 03:35 PM, said:

you can't be held accountable for other peoples actions....

So if you are not aware of people actually using your work for bad then it should be fine. Disclosure policy is a good idea,

Thank you for the advice. Hope other people can solve their problem with work issue. As i believe this is truly a problem for many as we live in a society which is really mixed and changing for the worse.

[checkmate]

your intention is your intention..and will only be judged upon that, if one makes a knife with the intention one will cut halal meat, however, another uses it for murder.. you tell me who will be held accountable in the court of law? the one who murders right? if it was the one who made the knife, then I think every manufacturer would stop making knives. The rule of Law of Allah ta'la wroks in the same way bro. If you make the logo knowing it is for a wrong purpose, you have every right to refuse..for all other purposes, use your art and make niyyat that you want your logo to be the medium that attracts customers, thus helping the muslim (non muslim) in their business. Even helping a non muslim is good..there are many stories of the prophet peace be upon him helping non muslims.

[Fekay]

I used to create PHP applications for some multiplayer game engines from which I had earned a very handsome amount of money just from spare time. Later, I was told to stop doing it because the overall message of the games didn't confirm to Islamic teachings and as muslims we should prevent the spread of such things.

I agree with you brother, the world is changing for the worst and evermore difficult to take steps in. We should always make correct intentions and thats what counts.