It isn’t unusual to see people that you follow on social media platforms advertising a product or a service after gaining a considerable amount of following.
Advertising has become one of the main sources of income for people with recognizable influence on social media, and it is possible that you might become a celebrity tomorrow, and therefore be engaged in what we call influencer advertising or celebrity endorsement.
Hence it is essential to learn the ethics of advertising before engaging in it:
1. Make sure the product or service is halal
The primary importance when it comes to advertising is the category of the product. If the product is forbidden (haram) in any sense, it cannot be advertised. This includes any type of impermissible consumable like alcoholic drinks, non-halal food, etc.
2. No dishonesty in describing the product or service
Absolutely no false claims can be made regarding the product or service being advertised at any cost, as it is strictly prohibited. Hence one must reveal the specifications of the product/service as they are without any false claims.
Additionally, no information can be concealed regarding the same, if and when known to the advertiser, especially if it of crucial importance, for instance the ingredients of an edible, etc.
3. Make sure that the product or service being advertised is beneficial
According to Islam, products or services that are counter-productive and not beneficial to the general public shall not be advertised.
There is a difference between illegal and non-beneficial products or services. For example, advertising expensive accessories is not illegal, but Islamically, it is not ethical to promote extravagance among the common people. Hence they should not be promoted.
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Revisiting Islam 