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Works in a Riba Bank: Quit Your Job

Question

Hello there,I need an answer for"What is the Islamic rule for a Muslim to work in the bank that deals with Interest, and my position in the bank is an IT Engineer in IT Department, my work nature is to help to secure the bank network and assist bank employees in technical side.I look forward to hearing from you a favorable response.Thank You.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we ask Allah to reward you for seeking lawful livelihood and fearing what is forbidden.

The ones who pursue your course of action, and those whose goal is seeking to please Allah; the reward of such people will not be lost with Allah.

As for what you have asked about, then the answer is that working in Riba-based banks is absolutely not permissible in any kind of job, as it is forbidden to help the sinner in his sin and falsehood.

The function of the bank and all its transactions are based on IT. Therefore, working in IT is a clear assistance, and Allah Says (what means): {…but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.} [Quran 5:2]

Besides, Jaabir  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said “Allah has cursed the one who consumes Riba (i.e. usury or interest), the one who gives it to others, the one who records it and the one who witnesses it (its transaction).” He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) added: “All of them are equal (in sin).” [Muslim]

An-Nawawi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said when explaining this Hadeeth: "It (this Hadeeth) is evidence that it is forbidden to assist in (any) sin (falsehood).

Therefore, you must look for a permissible job and Allah will facilitate it for you, Allah willing, because whoever abandons something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better.

This is of course if you are referring to a bank that purely deals with Riba. However, if what you were referring to is an Islamic bank that has some doubtful transactions that they are forbidden, then the ruling differs. In which case, you should clarify that to us so that we can issue to you an appropriate answer.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 165733, 198207, 84087, and 365239.

Allah knows best.

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