I am a software engineer in a Bank. I have a doubt for a long time is it acceptable for a muslim brother / sister to work in Banks due to the involvement of Interest related activity in the Bank's business
Mu' meneen Brothers
and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa
Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be
upon all of you)
One of our
brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Assalamalaikum my
Dear Burhan brother.,
It's really a
great inspiration to read your answers. May Allah reward you for your
efforts., I have a question for you.
I am a software
engineer in a Bank. I have a doubt for a long time – is it acceptable for
a muslim brother / sister to work in Banks due to the involvement of Interest
related activity in the Bank's business. I am not involved in the
bank business and my career is entirely on computer software engineering.
By the grace
of Allah, I spend most of my earnings in Islamic causes. Is my income
considered Halal and will I be eligible for reward for my spending ? Due to
some reasons , I am bonded in my current job which means I can't leave this job
for few years. What is your practical suggestion for me ?
Thank you very
much for clarifying my doubt.
Wassalam.
(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)
Answer:
Software for Banks
In the name of Allah, We praise
Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none
can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright.
We bear witness that there is no one (no idol,
no person, no grave, no
prophet, no imam, no dai,
nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that
Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
The thing that is specifically
declared Haraam by Allah and His Messenger (saws) is the taking of ‘usury’, and
interest is definitely a part of usury.
Allah says further in
the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 278:O Believers!, fear Allah and give up that ‘riba’ which is
still due to you, if you are true
believers. But if you do not do so, then you are warned
of the declaration of war
against you by Allah and His Messenger!
Allah says in the Holy
Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 161:That they took ‘riba’, although they were
forbidden. And that they devoured men’s substance
wrongfully. We have prepared for those
among them who reject faith a grievous punishment (of Hell Fire)!
Computer Software Engineering in
itself is a halaal talent and knowledge;
but when one develops software for business whose core business is
fundamentally declared ‘haraam’ in Islam,
they will be deemed as assisting and facilitating a prohibited act of
Allah Subhanah, and thus will be
considered a partner in the blame and share a portion of the sin.
Al-Tirmidhi
Hadith 2829 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib
Ali heard Allah's
Messenger (saws) invoke the curse of Allah on those who took usury, those who
paid it, those who recorded it, and those who refused to give sadaqah.
When Allah and His Messenger (saws) have declared something
forbidden, then to derive any income from such an establishment would also be
forbidden. Thus, if one is seeking
employment, he should fear Allah,
abstain from seeking work in a conventional bank. But if one is already working in a conventional
bank, it would be prudent for him to seek repentance of Allah, and search
immediately for another place to employ his talents; and when he finds an
appropriate job, resign from the present bank job. And if one does this move purely for the
sake of Allah Subhanah, it is expected that the Bounteous Lord will enrich him
from His Infinite resources and give him a huge reward for his efforts to obey
the commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws).
Whatever written of Truth and
benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error
is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He
is the Only Source of Strength.
Your Brother in
Islam,
Burhan