Fatwa ID: 03440
Answered by: Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza
Question
My niece got an offer in Wells Fargo in the US in IT support. It's a contract position. She wants to know if she can do it as Wells Fargo's main business is interest-based? My view was that she is only doing IT support and so there is no harm in her doing it. Kindly give the correct opinion.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Wells Fargo is a bank and financial services company that is based in San Francisco in the California State in the USA. As a bank, the income comes from sources such as interest, interchange, and fees.[1] Therefore, some of the income of a bank will be from halal sources and some from haram sources.
It is not permitted for a Muslim to earn unlawful income. However, contemporary scholars have permitted working in banks or other institutions where part of the income is unlawful, so long as the position itself does not involve dealing in interest or anything haram and that majority of the income of the company is a lawful income.
You mentioned that your niece has only been offered the job, in this case, it would be advisable that she does not accept this offer, but rather looks for a job in a company which is not involved in interest or any haram.
Allah (SWT) says-
وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ
“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.” (Surah al-Maidah, Verse 2)
Please see the following link for more information:
https://daruliftabirmingham.co.uk/is-working-in-a-bank-permissible/
Only Allah knows best
Written by Alimah Nasima Umm Hamza
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
