Working in Bank of England Fatwa No: 81944
- Fatwa Date:25-5-2000
Is it permissible for a Muslim to work for a freemasonic bank, ie. The Bank of England?
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Employment in any capacity is forbidden in any bank which accepts Ribaa (usury or interest), and this would in fact be true cooperation in sin and transgression. Allaah has said in this regard (what means): {Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety but do no help one another in sin and transgression.}[Quran 5:2] Imaam Muslim narrated from Jaabir that the Prophet Muhammad , cursed the one who consumes Ribaa, the one who gives it to others, the one who writes it down and the one who witnesses it. He said: “All of them are equal in sin.” [Muslim] This threat is for the one who works in a Ribaa-dealing bank, let alone if that bank is freemasonic one. You should fear Allaah, avoid this work and seek another job that is lawful, and Allaah will make it easy for you, if He wills. Allaah Says (what means): {And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.}[Quran 65:4] And also (what means): {And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things.}[Quran 65:2-3]
Allaah Knows best.