Writing Gambling Software Feature

By Mufti Muhammad Kadwa
Posted: 20 Zul-Qa'dah 1422, 3 February 2002

Checked and approved correct: Mufti Ebrahim Desai


Q.) I am an employee in a software development company. As a project manager, I have to study whatever projects our company gets and manage them with other team members.

Last week we got a project to enhance features in an American Football Game. And one feature of it is related to gambling (betting).

I want to know that as an employee what's my responsibility in the light of Shariah. Should I refuse to manage the project and if my manager doesn't agree, should I leave the job? [Muhammad Farrukh Mahmood]


A.) As an employee or rather as a Muslim, your responsibility is to ensure that you refrain from being a cause of other people's sins. We suggest you discuss your predicament with the project manager.

Do not leave your job immediately even if you have to adhere to such un-Islamic actions. First look for alternative employment and once you are successful, you may leave your present job. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Albalagh Note: The cautionary note against leaving a job applies in those situations where a person does depend upon his current employment and there is a danger that leaving it abruptly may land him and his family into hardship. As ulema have explained, in such a situation the person can continue his job, but must also keep on performing istighfar or seeking forgiveness for his involvement in sin. He must also look for another halal job with the same intensity as an unemployed person does.