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Fatwa CenterWorking in a company owned by a usurious bank
Question
My question is about my husband's job. He is an accountant and works for an auto-leasing company here in UK. I always had doubts whether this job is Halaal or not especially as the company is owned by a leading bank. My husband is a very good Muslim, Al-Hamdulillaah. He has a beard and prays Fajr, Maghrib and Ishaa in the mosque (as he is at work at Thuhr and Asr time and prays there). He doesn't watch TV, doesn't listen to music, and doesn't eat from places where they sell alcohol or pork. He is passionate about Islam but I'm really worried about this job that he has started. I've repeatedly discussed this issue with him and he understands that his job might not be right but his answer is that in this country every job that a person does is in one way or the other is related to interest and therefore is Haraam. He worked for a Muslim businessman before this job and that man dealt in interest openly. We have been trying for quite some time now to move to a Muslim country and we are finding it hard Subhanallaah. I say to my husband that we should move first and then look for a job but he says that he'll only move if he's got a job. I know that what he says is more logical but the thought of eating and wearing Haraam has taken away my peace of mind. My husband isn't happy about the situation as well and says that all we can do is pray to Allaah so that he makes a way for us. He is even trying for a different job here. Recently somebody has said to him that even if you go to a Muslim country there is no guarantee that you will find a Halaal job as many financial companies work on interest in Muslim countries. My question is that is it ok for my husband to think that majority of the jobs even in Muslim countries are Haraam because they involve interest in some way. Please answer my question. I'm really confused and worried. What should I do when I want to give Zakaah or any other Sadaqah? Will it be accepted?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
First of all, may Allaah greatly reward you for being keen to gain lawful earnings; this is indeed what a Muslim's concern should be. Verily, there are blessings in lawful earning but there are no blessings in illegal earnings.
As regards the work of your husband in an auto-leasing company, in principle it is permissible if the nature of his work has nothing to do with any forbidden matter that this company might deal with. The fact that this company deals with a bank has no effect on him as long as his work is as mentioned. However, if the nature of his work necessitates dealing with what is unlawful or helping what is unlawful then it is not permissible for him to work there; rather he should abandon his work, it might be that Allaah will facilitate his affairs if he fears Him.
As regards migrating to a Muslim country, then this is an obligation if this is possible. Even if there are some unlawful works in Muslim countries, yet there are many lawful jobs in addition to many other benefits like being far from the means of being tempted and afflicted as these are so many in non-Muslim countries like the existence of illegal means of provision and what incites to it.
As regards Zakat, if a Muslim possesses a minimum amount liable for Zakat and a whole lunar year elapses on it, he has to pay Zakat. He has to pay 2.5% for any gold and silver and other cash money. As regards voluntary alms, one can give anything from his wealth; may Allaah accept from him. This is of course if this wealth is lawful as Zakat is not obligatory on unlawful wealth, and it is not permissible to give alms from unlawful wealth with the intention of getting closer to Allaah, as Allaah is Tayyib (which implies purity) and He accepts only that which is pure. It is forbidden for a Muslim to benefit from illegal money; rather he should spend it with the intention of getting rid of it.
Allaah Knows best.
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