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Joining college club that might conduct unlawful activities

Question

Assalaamu alaykum. Is it permissible to take up a position if there is a chance that it may involve assisting in sin? For example, would it be permissible to join the computing club's IT cell within my university if the club as a whole celebrates and promotes things like Valentine's day and distributes free gifts to students that might be funded by banks? If there is a chance that one might have to make websites promoting such events, would it be impermissible to join, or is it only impermissible if they are sure (given that other activities might be helpful to the community, such as reporting damages or gathering feedback to improve services)? Thank you.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The fact that the computing club generally celebrates and promotes occasions like Valentine's Day and distributes free gifts to students that might be funded by banks does not forbid joining the IT cell affiliated to that club or working with it on lawful projects. If the member is asked to partake in an unlawful activity, he should refuse and turn down this task.

It is not forbidden to create websites or software that may be used for promoting what was mentioned unless they are exclusively created for that purpose or intended for promoting unlawful matters, in which case it is forbidden to partake in creating them. This is contrary to creating what might be used for lawful or unlawful purposes and not exclusively for an unlawful purpose. There is no harm in partaking in producing it because the person does not intentionally commit a sin or help others in committing it.

Such questions are akin to Waswaas (obsessive whispers); one should not get carried away with them lest they overwhelm him and make it hard for him to close this door and ward off this Waswaas, thus ruining his life and religiosity.

Allah knows best.

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