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Fatwa CenterAccounting as a profession
Question
I am studying to be an accountant. A brother just told me I should stay away from it because it will put me in contact with interest, which is Haram. I don't think this will be much of an issue, since I've done a bit of accounting work in the past, and not once have I had to deal with interest, only taxes and payroll, etc. Do you think accounting (in general) is Haram?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Study of accounting is a communal obligation since it contains many benefits such as having the knowledge of laws of inheritance in Shari'a and verifying the exactness and accuracy of the financial dealings of people.
However, it is not permissible for an accountant to work in a Haram field such as in usury-taking banks. Working in Halal fields is permissible such as in companies, establishments, organizations and the like, if they are restricted to the rulings of Shari'a in their performance.
Know that we cannot give a general ruling in support of accounting or against it since it is merely a means, so the rulings of aims apply to the means.
Finally, we warn the questioner brother against working in any usury-taking banks even if the work is not directly related to interest (usury). Any kind of work in a bank is forbidden since it is a kind of cooperation with Haram. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {.., but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allâh. …} [5: 2].
Allah knows best.
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