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
✔ 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.
❖ 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.
✔ 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.
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
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
