Is It Permissible to Sell Clothing with Images of Female Celebrities Who Promote Indecency?
Question
I buy and sell various items. I found a Dolly Parton shirt with her picture showing her face, hair, and neck. Since she is a music celebrity and such figures often promote indecency and sinful behavior, is it permissible to sell this shirt? Are there restrictions on selling prints like this?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
This matter returns to a clear fiqh principle: when an item’s dominant purpose or common use is to promote what is impermissible, then trading in it is not permissible, even if the object itself is not najis.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Islam commands the believer to avoid spreading indecency and to avoid assisting in sin.
Allah says:
“And do not cooperate in sin and transgression.”
Surat al Ma’idah 5:2
Allah also says:
“Indeed, those who love that immorality should be spread among the believers will have a painful punishment…”
Surat an Nur 24:19
The issue here is not merely a neutral photograph, but the reality of what this type of merchandise represents and promotes.
2. The Reality of Celebrity Merchandise
A shirt printed with a famous singer or actress is not normally purchased for identification purposes. It is commonly worn to:
- Celebrate the celebrity
- Promote their image
- Signal fandom and admiration
- Spread their public persona
If the person is known for industries and public branding tied to impermissible content, then selling such merchandise is reasonably understood as helping spread that image and normalize it.
Even if the shirt does not contain explicit nudity, the very category of “celebrity fandom apparel” is typically a form of promotion.
3. Hair Exposure and the Message of the Print
When the print features a woman with uncovered hair and the image is used as an object of display, it is not a neutral matter. It is an invitation to gaze and to display what Islam commands modesty in.
In such cases, the seller is providing an item whose function is to display an immodest image publicly.
4. Restrictions on Selling Printed Items
Based on this reasoning, selling is not permissible when the print includes:
- Sexualized or immodest imagery
- Promotion of singers, actors, or brands that are widely tied to indecency
- Messages that normalize haram conduct
- Slogans calling to sinful lifestyles
Even if a buyer may use the item casually, the prevailing meaning and use in society is what matters when evaluating cooperation in sin.
5. Relevant Usul Principles
سد الذرائع
Blocking the means.
If an item is a means to promoting haram and spreading indecency, it is blocked even if it is not intrinsically haram like wine itself.
ولا تعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان
Do not cooperate in sin and transgression.
Selling items whose purpose is to promote indecency falls under prohibited assistance.
Final Ruling
It is not permissible to sell shirts and merchandise that promote female celebrities from the music and acting industries when the print displays immodesty and the item is commonly used to celebrate and spread that image. This falls under cooperation in sin and the spreading of indecency.
As for other prints, the restriction is that anything whose content or dominant purpose promotes haram, indecency, or sinful lifestyles should not be sold. If an item is neutral and does not promote sin, then it remains permissible.
And Allah knows best.