Teaching accounting and finance
22-6-2009 | IslamWeb
Question:
Asalam O Alikum
My education is in the field of Accounting and Finance however there are things that concern me regarding the subject matter which apparantly is haram e.g. Interest calculation etc.
Kindly clarify me on the following issue,
Am i allowed to teach others the subjects of Accounting and Finance in particular 'accounting' -'economics' -'statistics' given that the subjects might require to teach haram stuff like matter related to Riba(interest) etc and earn income through teaching these subjects.
Kindly clarify with regard to following circumstances
1) teaching to Muslim students(male)
2) teaching to a general class(male) where students disobedient to Allah are likely to be present
3) teaching to general class(male+female) where again students disobedient to Allah are likely to be present
In brief i would like to know when does my teaching of Accounting and Finance subjects (accounting, economics, statistics, banking etc) become 100% halal
could you suggest any 100% halal work for a person like me(specialising in Accounting and Finance) which Allah will love the most and becomes a pure source of worldy provision for my journey back to Him plus benifits me maximum in the hereafter
Jazak Allah
Answer:
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 
is His slave and Messenger.
It is permissible to teach this subject provided that you clarify to the students the religious prohibitions that may be found in some transactions. Also, you should clarify to them the good characteristics of the Islamic legislation and the disadvantages of Riba (interest and usury) and its bad effects on the individual and the society. The best evidence about this is the current world financial crisis. By doing so, you would have benefited from that in calling people to Allaah and it might be that Allaah will guide some people thanks to you. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 86231.
In addition to this, it is permissible to teach the Muslim students even if there are some disobedient ones amongst them, but you should exploit the occasion to call to Allaah, as we already mentioned.
As regards teaching in a place where the male and female students are mixed, then if there is a separation between men and women while the women are dressed in Hijab, then this is permissible, but if the situation is like the case in many educational institutions, where there is a disgraceful mixing of sexes and where women do not wear Hijab, then this is a great means of temptation. In which case, it is not permissible for a Muslim to work in such a situation unless there is a preponderant benefit and the Muslim is safe from the reasons of temptation. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 84281 and 82730.
As regards some suggestions which you asked for, then we advise you to seek the help of some pious Muslims who are experienced in this field as they are the ones who are best positioned to help you in this regard.
Allaah Knows best.