(#161)
Question
السلام عليكم
I want to understand the ruling on working at a Bank generally and in particular in NZ. This is not day to day banking work, instead this is related to working at the IT department, which provides and makes systems to support customer needs.
Is it fine to work in a Bank if the work is related to the IT department?
JazakALLAH for your help.
Regards,
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query dated 01/05/2023, our response is as follows:
We would advise that as far as reasonably possible, a person should abstain from engaging in such vital assistance to an entity (such as a bank) whose existence is largely based on promoting, encouraging and being party to Haraam (interest-based) transactions.
The impermissibility of interest is explicitly explained in the Qur’an and Hadeeth and the warnings are extremely severe!
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِنْ كُنْتُمْ مُؤْمِنِينَ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَفْعَلُوا فَأْذَنُوا بِحَرْبٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ.
البقرة۲۷۸-۲۷۹
“Oh you who believe! Fear Allah and give up whatever interest remains if you are true believers! If you do not (avoid interest), then prepare for war with Allah and His Rasool!”
Lastly, working in such an environment where one is surrounded primarily by interest-based Haraam activities, is not healthy for a Muslim’s spiritual well-being Based on these negative aspects, we would strongly advise that you look for alternative employment.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Abdushakoor Salim
17th Shawwal 1444
7th May 2023
Checked and approved by:
(Mufti) Muhammad Irshad Motara
17th Shawwal 1444
7th May 2023
