Fatwa ID: 02583

Answered by: Mufti Eunus Ali

Question

I'm an Imam and teacher at a Musalla here in the United States. Our Musalla is mostly funded by a businessman who has a truck dealership. And I am also paid from that money as my monthly salary. The way they sell these trucks is the salesman acts as an agent between the buyer and the bank. If the customers want to finance a truck, the salesman calls different finance companies and banks to get him approved for a loan. The salesman of the dealership will also negotiate with the bank to get the buyer approved for that loan. Once the buyer is approved, the bank will pay the truck dealership directly on behalf of the buyer. Then the buyer pays off the loan to the bank. This type of transaction being clear assistance upon sin because he is helping buyers obtain interest-based loans, would this make the income of the entire business Haram or only the income of that specific salesman? What is the ruling regarding the income I'm receiving from this business as an Imam of a Musalla? Is it necessary for me to look for another occupation or can I continue Imamat here? JazakAllahuKhairan.

Answer

If the majority of the wage is sourced from a haram means it will not be permissible to accept that money and an alternative job should be looked for.

However, if the majority of the wage is from a halal source it will be permissible to accept.[1]

Conclusion: as the source of the wage is not from a single source, it will need to be looked into and the relevant ruling from above will be applied.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Mufti Eunus Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham