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Fatwa CenterUsing Haram sources to pay for education
Question
I am a student of M.Sc computer science in USA. I am from Pakistan. I am facing financial difficulties in paying my tuition fees. If I don't pay my tuition fee I will have to go back without getting degree and all the money (savings of my parents) I use to pay tuition of first semester will be wasted. In this situation can I work at a place like gas station, grocery store, or restaurants where I have to deal with Haram things like lottery tickets, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.? Or, can I take interest (Riba) based student loan? If none of these options are permissible then should I go back to Pakistan without getting degree?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
You should know that working in any Haram field such as, gambling, selling pork, alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and all those things which cause harm to human body, as well as dealing with usury/interest are not permissible.
Know also that dealing in interest or any other forbidden matters is not allowed unless the person is so compelled to do so, meaning he might face death or starvation. In that serious and dangerous situation Shariah permits him to deal with interest only to save his life. This situation is similar to as eating the flesh of unslaughtered animal, which is permissible only for the one who does not find anything to eat, and faces death from hunger.
Therefore, we believe that getting a certificate is not a dire necessity for which one is allowed to commit Haram. So, Dear brother, fear Allah, surely He will provide you from those sources you never could imagine.
As Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {……. And whosoever fears Allâh 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. ……………}[65:2-3].
Try your best to find Halal work to be able to continue your studies. Do not commit Haram for this purpose, which is not compulsory in order to make it lawful.
Allah knows best.
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