Question Details: I create digital designs and sell them on an online platform. Among these designs are ones related to Jesus (peace be upon him), as well as quotations from the Gospel. I live in the United States, and most of my customers are Christians. Is it permissible to produce and sell designs related to such non-Islamic beliefs?
Answer: First, it should be stated that Jesus (peace be upon him) is also our Prophet, and the Gospel is also our Book. However, as conveyed by the Qur’an and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), alterations (taḥrīf)—that is, changes introduced by human hands in later periods—have occurred in the Gospel and in the teachings of Jesus (peace be upon him) . In matters that have not been altered, we affirm their truth.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Do not deny nor affirm what the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) convey to you (regarding their scriptures and religion). Rather, say: ‘We believe in Allah and in what has been revealed to us (and, in another narration, to the prophets).’” (al-Bukhārī, Tafsīr al-Qur’ān, Sūrat al-Baqarah, 136)
In another narration, the following addition is reported: “If you do so, then if what they say is true, you will not have denied it; and if it is false, you will not have affirmed it.” (Abū Dāwūd, ʿIlm, 2)
Likewise, both the Qur’an and the ḥadīths relate reports from earlier scriptures and prophets and present them to us, emphasizing their truth.
From this, it may be stated that a Muslim should pass what he produces through the filter of his own creed (ʿaqīdah). Statements that are not in accordance with Islamic creed—whoever they may belong to—should not be used. As for statements that are in accordance with our creed, there is no objection to using them, regardless of their source.
Accordingly, there is no objection to producing and selling statements and content that are not contrary to our religion and creed. The fact that they believe in these within their religion does not render them false; therefore, the notion that one would be supporting them in their religion is not correct. Rather, these are points of commonality between them and us.