Date : 02-07-2024

Question :

I work as a translator for a certain website, and sometimes I translate restaurant and hotel offers that include alcoholic beverages or resorts for homosexuals. What is the Islamic ruling on my work?


The Answer :

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.


The basic principle is that working in translation is permissible, provided that its fields do not involve direct assistance in forbidden matters or promoting them.


As for what involves aiding in forbidden matters, it is not permissible to translate it, such as translating things that promote immorality, perversity, corruption, drinking alcohol, and the like. This is because Allah commands us to cooperate in righteousness and piety and not to cooperate in sin and aggression. A Muslim should not be an assistant in promoting or spreading forbidden matters. Allah says {what means}: "And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty" [Al-Ma'idah: 2].


In conclusion, it is forbidden to work in translating matters connected to the forbidden or what promotes it, such as translating advertisements for immorality, perversity, corruption, and alcohol while it is permissible to translate what is not related to the forbidden and corruption. And Allah the Almighty knows best.