Question # 018
Assalamualaikum I am working in an IT company, supporting IT infrastructure. The work-load in my current job is too much. I have been trying to switch job for past one year and have not receive any call from any other IT or Telecom industry. Recently, I received an interview call from a Bank for IT support with better pay. In my situation is it lawful/allowed to take a job in Bank's IT?
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
May Allah (swt) reward you for reaching out.
The ruling regarding working in a bank depends on what exactly the job consists of. Any type of employment at a bank that consists of direct involvement with interest based transactions such as a bank clerk or cashier will be haraam (prohibited).
يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَاۡكُلُوا الرِّبٰٓوا اَضۡعَافًا مُّضٰعَفَةً وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُوۡنَۚ ﴿3:130﴾
“O you who believe! Do not devour Riba (e.g. interest), making it double & redouble, and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, that you may be successful.”
عَنِ ابْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَشَاهِدَيْهِ وَكَاتِبَهُ .
Ibn Mas'ud narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) cursed the one who consumed Riba, and the one who charged it, those who witnessed it, and the one who recorded it.” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi)
Thus the one involved directly with transactions that include interest in any way, such as writing or calculating, will earn the curse of Allah and His Messenger (SAW). Therefore, it is necessary to avoid such jobs.
However if the job at a bank is such that it does not have any direct involvement of an interest-based transaction such as a cleaner or an IT, then this type of job will be halaal(lawful). This is due to the reason that these jobs do not require something that is prohibited in Shariah. Although these jobs are halaal, they are highly recommended to avoid.
As for the income received on such jobs, scholars mention that the money stored in a bank is not all interest money. The portion of interest money is usually less. Therefore, the salary received from the bank is a mixture of unlawful and lawful wealth of which the majority is lawful. As such, it would be permissible to accept this money as income, provided the actual job is lawful. (Al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya: 5/343).
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Regards,
Student - Jamiah Islamiyah Abu Bakr
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Kasim Ingar
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