I am an engineer working in a microelectronic company. This company produces electronic chips to be used in many fields: televisions, computers, mobile phones, planes, cars and satellites. There is mixing between men and women in my work as well, which can not be avoided in my country. But all praise be to Allah who blessed me with righteous companions at work. We advise one another to adhere to our Islamic teachings. My question is: is my earnings halal? Please guide and advise.


Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

We ask Allaah to help you, guide you and make you steadfast,
and we advise you to carry on cooperating in righteousness and piety, and
striving to spread goodness, and calling people to it by whatever means are
available. 

Secondly: 

Working in mixed workplaces leads to negative and harmful
effects that are obvious to everyone, but the one who is faced with this
problem and cannot find any other job, should fear Allaah, lower his gaze,
avoid being alone with a member of the opposite sex or shaking hands, and
avoid the causes of fitnah and evil. He should try hard to look for another
job where he will be able to protect his religious commitment, even if it is
for a lower salary, because protecting one’s religious commitment takes
precedence over protecting one’s life and wealth. See question no.
50398. 

Thirdly:

 If the company is producing numerous kinds of chips, some of
which are used in computers and others in airplanes, and a third in TVs and
satellite dishes, etc, then avoid working with those that have to do with
TVs and satellite dishes, because in most cases they are used for sinful
purposes, whether watching or listening. Anything that is mostly used for
sinful purposes, it is not permissible to help people with it, by
manufacturing, repairing, installing or selling, except to someone who it is
known will use it for permissible purposes. See question no.
39744. 

If the system produces chips that may be used in all these
applications (TVs, computers, cars, etc), then there is nothing wrong with
working in the production thereof, because they are more often used for
permissible purposes. 

And Allaah knows best.