Income Earned Off Video Games

QUESTION:

Is it permissible to develop and sell video games as a professional activity and earn a living from it, if the content and mechanics comply with Islamic requirements? Are there any restrictions on this activity itself, regardless of the particular content?

ANSWER:

Firstly, your concern to acquire a Halaal income is praiseworthy. Consider the following Aayah:

يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا ۖ إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ (المؤمنون آ:51)

“O Messengers! Eat of the pure things and carry out righteous actions. Indeed, I am aware of what you do.”

Mufti Shafi Saheb Rahimahullah mentions under the Tafseer of this verse that, if one eats Halaal then he will be given the ability to do good deeds, and if he consumes Haraam or doubtful food, then the Haraam or doubtful food will lead him towards sin. The Duas of such a person is rejected. This clearly indicates towards the importance of consuming Halaal.

Consider the following Hadith in which Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam expounded on the harms of consuming Haraam:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه و سلم “إنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لَا يَقْبَلُ إلَّا طَيِّبًا، وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ أَمَرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِمَا أَمَرَ بِهِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ فَقَالَ تَعَالَى: “يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنْ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا”، وَقَالَ تَعَالَى: “يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُلُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ” ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ الرَّجُلَ يُطِيلُ السَّفَرَ أَشْعَثَ أَغْبَرَ يَمُدُّ يَدَيْهِ إلَى السَّمَاءِ: يَا رَبِّ! يَا رَبِّ! وَمَطْعَمُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَشْرَبُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَمَلْبَسُهُ حَرَامٌ، وَغُذِّيَ بِالْحَرَامِ، فَأَنَّى يُسْتَجَابُ لَهُ؟)صحيح مسلم #1015)

It is narrated from Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Almighty Allah is Pure and only accepts that which is pure. And verily Allah has commanded the believers that which He has commanded the Messengers. Allah Ta’ala states: ‘O Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibaat (pure and wholesome) and perform righteous deeds.’ Allah Ta’ala states: ‘O you who believe! Eat of the pure (lawful things) that We have provided you.’ Then Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam mentioned a person who undertakes a lengthy journey due to which he is disheveled and dusty. He spreads out his hands towards the sky saying “O Rabb! O Rabb!” whereas his food is Haraam, his drink is Haraam, his clothing is Haraam, and he has been nourished with Haraam, so how will his Dua be answered?

Now, coming to the queried scenario, we would advise against you going into the video gaming production industry as there are many grey areas in it. Many Ulama have stated that video games have no benefit in it and falls under the purview of futile activities. Allah Ta’ala has created us for an objective and purpose. Allah Ta’ala states in the Quraan Majeed:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ [الذاريات: 56]

“And I (Allah) have created man and Jinn only to worship Me.”

Hence, one should constantly engage in such actions by which one gains the recognition, love, obedience, and pleasure of Allah Ta’ala. Yes, the body requires rest as well as rejuvenation. Affording necessary rest to one’s body is not only permitted in Shari’ah, but necessary and essential, as is stated in thr Hadith that the body has a right over us. However, this should be done within the confines of Shari’ah.

Playing games has no benefit at all; neither does it benefit the player in this world nor in the Aakhirah, hence, being a futile action, it should be discarded. Allah Ta’ala states in the Quraan Majeed:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْتَرِي لَهْوَ الْحَدِيثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ وَيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُواً أُولَئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُهِينٌ [لقمان:6]

“There are some people who purchase futile discourse to deviate (others) from Allah’s path without knowledge and they mock it (so that every regard for Islam may disappear from people’s hearts.) There shall be a humiliating punishment for these people.”

It is recorded in a narration of Tirmidhi:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏من حسن إسلام المرء تركه ما لا يعنيه ‏(سنن الترمذي #(2317

“Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “It is from the excellence of (a believer’s) Islam that he shuns those things which are of no concern to him.”

In conclusion, playing games, together with being a futile action, includes a host of other evils, hence we strongly advise you to seek another source of income. Also, continue making sincere Dua to Allah Ta’ala to open another door of sustenance which is one hundred percent pure and Halaal.

فاللعب وهو اللهو حرام بالنص (الدر المختار و حاشية ابن عابدين 6/348)

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date: 02 Jumaadal-Ulaa 1448 / 2026

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb