Is a YouTube Automation Business Halal in Islam?

Walekumussalam,

The income earned through YouTube is essentially based on a user creating content in the form of videos and providing it to YouTube. When YouTube users watch or engage with that content, YouTube pays the creator an agreed amount. These payments are generally made through a Google AdSense account.

Therefore, in order for earning through YouTube videos to be permissible, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

1. The videos should not contain images or videos of animate beings (living creatures).

2. The videos should not promote anything that is Islamically unlawful or impermissible.

3. The videos should not contain music.

4. Receiving or withdrawing the earnings should not involve any interest-based transaction or invalid contract.

5. Advertisements containing images of animate beings, or any other non-Shar‘i and impermissible content, should not be displayed on the channel.

If a channel can be operated while observing all of these conditions, then its earnings would be permissible.

However, according to our understanding, operating such a channel on YouTube in the present era is almost impossible. Even if a creator personally observes all of the above conditions, YouTube may still display advertisements of its own choosing, which vary according to countries and regions. Many of these advertisements contain elements that are not permissible under Islamic law.

Therefore, it is advisable to avoid earning through a YouTube channel.