Fatwa ID: 05111

 

Answered by: Maulana Ishaaq Hussain

 

Question

 

I have a question in relation to taking a job. I want to know whether I should take it or not. There are two ways either being a self-employed contractor or being employed by an independent company, either way, I will be assigned to work for a bank.

 

The second issue is the actual job itself which involves assessing complaints/claims made by customers to the bank about the mis-sale of an insurance policy called payment protection (PPI). When assessing these complaints/claims if, for example, I think the complaint/claim should be upheld, the customer is automatically entitled to an award of interest. I have worked in banking/financial services for the past 15years or so and this is where my experience lies. I can of course take jobs that are not in that industry and come out of the finance/banking sector completely, but my options are limited. Could you let me know what the position is for me as regards working for a bank and secondly taking the job I have described above? Jazak Allah Khair.

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer

 

It should be understood that taking and giving interest is counted as one of the gravest and heinous sins in Islam.

 

In the Holy Quran Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala has said:

“O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains of Riba/interest if you are believers. And if you do not do it, then be ready for war with Allah and his prophets” (chapter 2 verse 278)

 

Sayyidna Jabir Radiyallahu Anhu says:” The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam cursed the person who Takes interest, who gives Interest, who writes it and witnesses it and he said that In sin they are all the same(i.e. they will get the same punishment). (Sahih Muslim also see Targeeb wa Tarheeb p.136 v.3)

 

Hanzala Radiyallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “To take one dirham of Interest knowingly is worse than committing adultery 36 times” (Ahmad, Tabrani in his Kabeer, the narrators mentioned in Imam Ahmad’s chain are all authentic)

 

Sayyidna Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:” There are 4 types of people upon whom Allah has a right that he does not enter them into Jannah nor does he give them the taste of any of his bounties (in Jannah). They are a person who drinks alcohol; a person who takes an interest; that person who takes the wealth of an orphan oppressively; that person who disobeys his parents”. (Haakim)

 

Sayyidna Abdullah Bin Masood Radiyallahu Anhu narrates that the Prophet sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said:” Riba/interest has 73 stages/doors. The lowest stage is like committing Adultery with your own mother” (Haakim, Bayhaqi) 

 

It is clearly evident from the above-mentioned Quranic verse and the Ahadeeth that dealing with and acquiring interest is haraam in Islam.

 

With regards to your first Question, employment in a bank, run on the basis of Interest, is not permissible, however, a person employed in a bank is advised that he should not leave his job there immediately. He is rather told that he should look for some other permissible job elsewhere and when he succeeds in getting one he should leave the job in the bank- but, the important point here is that he should make all possible efforts he can in this direction. (Contemporary Fatawa p.280)

 

Allah says in The Quran:

“Do not assist each other in sin and transgression” (Surah Ma aidah v2)

 

Having mentioned this Quranic Verse of Surah Ma aidah we know to come to the answer to your second question. To take on such a job where it involves interest (as mentioned in the question) would be impermissible. As it is possible for you to look for another job which does not involve any haraam (interest) it is my sincere advice that you look elsewhere for a job and do not take this job that you have been offered.

 

The Hadeeth mentions: Sayyidna Jabir Radiyallahu Anhu says: The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam cursed the person who Takes interest, who gives Interest, who writes it and witnesses it and he said that In sin they are all the same(i.e. they will get the same punishment). (Sahih Muslim also see Targeeb wa Tarheeb p.136 v.3)

 

 

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Maulana Ishaaq Hussain

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham