Question:
Is it permissible for a Muslim to work as a content creator or social media influencer if the content is halal?
Answer:
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Alamin, was-salatu was-salamu ala ashrafil anbiya wal-mursalin, nabiyyina Muhammad, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in, wa man tabi’ahum bi ihsan ila yawmid-din.
The default ruling in muamalat is that any form of earning is permissible unless it involves clear evidence of prohibition. This principle is affirmed by the legal maxim:
الأصل في المعاملات الإباحة حتى يدل الدليل على التحريم
“The default in transactions is permissibility unless there is evidence to prohibit it.”
If a Muslim is creating content that is halal in nature—such as educational material, beneficial reminders, permissible product reviews, business marketing, skills training, language lessons, or general permissible entertainment—and if that content does not involve:
- anything haram in the message (falsehood, mocking religion, foul language)
- exposure of awrah or inviting attention in a shameful way
- music, flirtation, or speech that causes temptation
- imitation of non-Islamic or immoral figures
- marketing of haram products such as alcohol, gambling, or cosmetics used for immodesty
then the income earned from that content is considered lawful.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“من كسب طيبا، أنفقه في سبيل الله، ونظر الله إليه، ولم يلفت نظره عن العبد حتى يفرغ منه”
“Whoever earns a halal income and spends it in the path of Allah, Allah looks at him and does not turn His gaze away from him until he finishes.”
(Reported by al-Tabarani with supporting chains)
Furthermore, the fuqaha in all four madhhabs recognize earnings from speech or display as lawful when the action itself is permissible. For instance, the performer of a halal job—such as a public speaker, seller, teacher, or even announcer—may be paid for the service of permissible communication. The same principle applies to content creators who meet the above conditions.
However, scholars caution against:
- vanity and self-promotion (riya’)
- altering one’s Islamic values to gain fame or money
- engaging in content that is borderline impermissible for the sake of engagement
- becoming a fitnah for followers, especially of the opposite gender
If these principles are upheld, then it is permissible to work as a content creator or influencer and to earn from halal sources such as ad revenue (with Islamic guidelines), brand promotion (of permissible products), viewer support, or services.
Wallahu a’lam