Answered by Shaykh Muhammad Carr

Question 

I worked as a sales representative for marketing companies. I later learned that one project may have included a cross and other Sharia violations, which I was unaware of at the time. Is the income I earned from this halal or haram?

ِAnswer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Thank you for your question.

‘A’isha reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) did not leave anything with crosses in his home without breaking it. [Bukhari]

The sale of crosses is not permitted in the Shafi‘i School, and they are treated as idols. [See: Shirbini, Mughni al-Muhtaj]

Qalyubi states that the sale of images (suwar) and crosses is invalid, even if they are made of gold, silver, or foodstuffs. [Qalyubi, Hashiyat al-Qalyubi]

While you are unable to practically ‘cancel the sale,’ you should give away the equivalent of your earnings on this sale to charity.

Allah says, “O you who believe devour not your wealth between you through falsehood.” [Quran, 4:29]

I pray this is of benefit and Allah guides us all.

[Shaykh] Muhammad Carr
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Muhammad Carr has dedicated his life to studying and transmitting our beautiful deen. His studies have taken him around the globe, where he has benefitted from many luminaries. Under the guidance of his teachers – Shaykh Taha Karan, Shaykh Yaseen Abbas, Shaykh Muadh Ali, and many others – Shaykh Muhammad has grown to appreciate the beauty and benefits of diverse scholarship. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an at Dar al-Ulum Zakariyyah in September 1997 and received an Alimiyya Degree in 2006 from DUAI (Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah). He is also affiliated with Masjid Auwal in Bo Kaap, Cape Town (the oldest mosque in South Africa), where he serves as a co-imam, and Dar Al-Safa, where he has taught since 2018. As a teacher, he imparts the wisdom of our heritage and tradition by opening the door for students. As an imam, he has the unique opportunity to serve his community in daily life.

In addition to his roles as a teacher and imam, Shaykh Muhammad Carr has contributed significantly to the administrative and advisory aspects of Islamic institutions. Since 2023, he has served as the Administrative Director at The Imam Kurani Institute, contributing to the institution’s growth and development. He continues to pursue traditional Islamic Sciences, possessing a keen interest in Islamic Contract Law and Finance. Shaykh Muhammad has been a Shari’ah Board Member for Islamic Asset Management & Insurance Companies since 2001, aligning financial practices with Islamic principles.