Ideas are many..but Incomplete

For a few days now, in fact I would say a few months, a lot of things have come in my mind. And 'things' in my world almost always means Softwares/Applications/Technologies, anything related to computers and programming. But alas! I've never been able to concentrate/work on any of my ideas.

It has always been my dream to work in a development of an application that would be innovative, creative, that would make me think, that would make me feel satisfied, that would really expose my strengths and weakness'.But one thing that I realize is that it is not possible for me to do so in a Indian-based service-based company. Most projects that are outsourced to the Indian IT world does not need the developer to push himself. It does not ask him to think more than what he has learnt. And it does not ask him to do not more than a copy-pate.But fortunately or unfortunately(Allah knows Best) Im now employed in one of those Indian based IT cos.

But this has not stopped me from thinking on different ideas. From the day I completed my training provided at my company where Im employed, lot of thoughts and ideas have crossed my mind. From Islamic applications that could be useful for the Islamic world to applications that could appeal to the general public, there have been may ideas that have crossed my mind. At this point I would like to say that not all(maybe even none), have been truly innovative. Most applications that I've thought were based on what I was trying to learn at that point.In general, just as Im not worried about how many of them would read my posts on this blog, when ideas come to my mind im not worried on how many users would use my application, let alone have a look at it!

A few months after my training I had ideas of building a "Masjid-Finder" application, that would allow people to search mosques located on different parts(of Chennai, and later across other cities).This was actually a good idea, and is still a good idea, if only I could try implementing it! Few days back as I was attracted towards WEB 2.0, RSS Reader was one thing that I thought of building(there are many of this kind, but one simple complete application built by me would make me feel...feel...!)

I stop here.. yes,yes I know that this post is incomplete,..but that's because my ideas are also INCOMPLETE!

Honesty, it still exists ...

Recently I started subscribing to Shariah Compliant group , and I keep receiving message digests from the group everyday. This is a unique group where people get to ask questions related to the shariath, which are answered promptly by the Ulema(Mufti Ebrahim Desai heading the group of Ulema).

Everyday I get to read questions that really stun me! I really did not think that people, in this modern world, would have such high Taqwa(fear of Allah). Most of these questions that are posted are related to business, riba(interest), zakath,.etc. I have come across a few questions(many, as a matter of fact), that I wouldn't have even bothered to think if it was right, leave alone clarifying with the Ulema. A few minutes back I received a question which has been answered by Moulana Abrar Mirza(a student of Mufti Ebrahim Desai). The question really stunned me. I'm really surprised that such honest people still exist in this world, really! May Allah make a honest person.I pray to Allah from the bottom of my heart that I die a honest man!Following is the question that has been posted by the brother followed by the answer from Moulana Abrar -

Question

I have been working in the present company for the past 6 years. This is also my first company after my education. In the Final semester of my M.asters Degree this company has came to our college to recruit the final year students and conducted an examination. I came to know the question paper from my friend of other college, and I was First in the exam. This company had used the same question paper what they used in my friends college before coming to my college. It is common that most of the times , companies use the same question paper in different colleges, and the students tries to find out the question papers from other colleges with the reasons like it could be the same paper or to know the model of the exam. In my case it was the same paper.

All along these 6 years, some where in my heart it was hurting. 6 months before I wrote everything in an email to the CEO of the company . In the email I also wrote that the only reason I am confessing now, with out thinking about the consequences ,is that I have to face God Almighty, even if I escape here.

I got a replay saying to meet him , when I have a chance. So I met him, he just asked how I came to know the question paper and other things, but he did said any other thing. Infront of him I treid to apologize verbally, but I could not able to do.

While writing the email with emotions I also mentioned that , I got 3 awards from the company for good work in this 5 year span , and also I was 2nd in the class, but later ,I realised that I was 4th or 5th in the class. It was a mistake but not my intention which I have not discussed again with CEO.

Now My question is a) Is what I am earning is Halal b) If I change to another company with current position and experience will it be still Halal c) what else I can do to earn in a halal way

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

At the outset, we commend you on your honesty and course of action in this day and age of corporate lies and moral degeneration.

It is known, normal, and accepted for students to prepare for such exams by seeking help from others who might have already taken them. Many times, one can find preparation books for these exams in the library with sample questions. For this reason, companies and examination boards generally have slightly different exam questions each time. Technically, your company should have also had a different exam for your college if they were concerned about students knowing the exact questions. Since they did not do this nor did you go against the normal preparation steps with an intention of cheating, your income is halāl. Furthermore, you even informed the CEO of the company and he did not object to that.

But as a matter of precaution, we advice you to also make tawbah and istighfār.

And Allah knows best

Wassalamu Alaikum

Ml. Abrar Mirza,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In'aamiyyah

I think i'll be a thousand years behind these people in Jannath, if my current state of imaan is considered! But to reach these heights I need the towfik(grace) of Allah, for without Allah's help & will i'm nothing but a statuette made of mud.