Is it permissible to work as a sales manager in a company that produces contraceptive pills?
I work in a pharmaceutical company as a sales manager. This company produces contraceptive pills. I distribute this product to doctors (Muslims and non-Muslims). Is my income from this company halal? If it is not, what should I do? Should I leave my job? Or can I continue with this company until I find other work? Please note that my older brother is unemployed and my two younger brothers are studying, and I am living with my father and mother.
Praise be to Allah.
Means of contraception, including pills, may be used in a permissible manner, in cases in which it is used to delay pregnancy or prevent it for some reason, or they may be used in a haram manner, as immoral people do.
The basic principle with regard to that which can be used for both halal and haram purposes, is that everything that it is thought most likely will be used for haram purposes, it is not permissible to buy or sell it, because that comes under the heading of cooperating in sin and transgression.
Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
If it seems most likely that garments will be used to help commit sin, it is not permissible to sell them or sew them for one who will use them for sinful and wrongful purposes. Hence it is makrooh to sell bread and meat to one who you know will drink wine with them, or to sell herbs to one who it is known will use them for wine and so on. The same applies to anything that is basically permissible, if you know that it will be used to help commit sin. This varies from one place, time and situation to another. End quote.
Sharhul-‘Umdah, 4/386-387
In Fatawa al-Lajnah ad-Da’imah (13/109) it says: Everything that may be used in a haram way, or it is thought most likely that that is the case, it is haram to manufacture it, import it, sell it or distribute it among the Muslims. End quote.
Based on that, you should act on what you think is most likely the case with regard to those who use these pills, or whether the majority of those who use them, use them for halal or haram purposes. If the majority use them for haram purposes, it is not permissible to sell them; if the majority use them for halal purposes, there is nothing wrong with selling them.
You should remember that whoever gives up something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better than it. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).
3. And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things” [At-Talaq 65:2-3]
“and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him” [At-Talaq 65:4]
Every time you think there is no way out, remember what Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Allah will grant after hardship, ease” [At-Talaq 65:7].
We ask Allah to give you sufficient from what He has permitted so that you will have no need of that which He has forbidden.
And Allah knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid |
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