What is the ruling on one who writes illuminated signs for people, if he writes a sign for a bank that deals in usury or for a shop that sells obscene magazines, videos, and the like?

The questioner : He says: O honorable Shaykh, what is the ruling on one who writes a sign for a bank that deals in usury, or writes a sign for a grocery store knowing that it sells cigarettes, hookah, or obscene magazines, or writes a sign for a shop that sells videos and televisions or the like? Are these actions permissible for him or not permissible, and what about similar matters that are forbidden?

The Shaykh : I ask: Is there assistance to these people in their actions in making these signs? Answer.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes, there is. If it involves assisting them in their actions, then that becomes forbidden, due to the saying of Allah the Exalted: So if we assume that this sign, when placed on this shop, attracts people, and the shop does not deal except in what is forbidden, then making this sign becomes forbidden, and taking payment for it becomes forbidden, because he falls under the saying of Allah the Exalted: Yes.