Question:
Is it permissible to develop software for generating fake views, and is the income earned from such activity halal?
Answer by:
Scholar: Khidr Hayat ḥafiẓahullāh
Scholar: Fahd Ansari ḥafiẓahullāh
✿ Clear Ruling: Prohibited
✔ Generating or facilitating fake views—whether by taking or giving them—is prohibited (ḥarām) as it falls under clear deception (taghrīr).
✔ Developing software or tools specifically for generating fake views is also impermissible.
✔ Any income generated from such means is not halal and cannot be considered lawful earnings.
✿ Differentiating Permissible vs. Impermissible Software
❖ If a software/tool is developed for general lawful purposes (e.g., analytics, automation) but someone misuses it, then the developer is not sinful.
❖ However, if the software is intentionally designed for fraudulent activities like faking views, it is prohibited to create, sell, or promote such software.
✿ Additional Concerns
✔ Deception & Dishonesty:
– Fake views deceive others regarding popularity and reach.
– They promote false credibility, which is ethically and Islamically wrong.
✔ Lack of Content Scrutiny:
– These tools are often used without ensuring that the content is Sharī‘ah-compliant.
– Platforms may include music, nudity, or interest-based promotions, compounding the harm.
✔ High Risk of Fraud:
– Many companies providing fake views scam clients, offering initial returns and then vanishing, leading to financial and ethical exploitation.
✿ Caution Advised
This line of work, and any assistance in it, does not align with Sharī‘ah ethics.
✔ The safest path is to avoid involvement, to prevent falling into deception, fraud, and illicit income.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
