Working in Riba-based Commercial Banks

20-7-2022 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalam o AlaikumI have recently applied for a job in government owned bank in Pakistan where I am supposed to maintain accounts and other related responsibilities like trend analysis etc., My question is that whether pursuing such type of job is haram or not because I am not directly involved in riba based transaction. However I might be involved in recording interest (riba). Kindly suggest me what should I do.JazakAllah

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The Riba-based commercial banks, whether they are governmental or private, that are based mainly on Riba (usury or interest) in borrowing and lending, then it is not permissible at all for you to work with them because the worker in these banks, even if he is not engaged in doing what is forbidden, he must in any way be helping others in this evil, and this necessitates being pleased with evil and confirming it.

Allah Says (what means): {And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.} [Quran 5:2]

Jaabir narrated that the Prophet said, “Allah has cursed the one who consumes Riba (i.e. usury or interest), the one who gives it to others, the one who records it and the one who witnesses it (its transaction).” He added: “All of them are equal in sin.” [Muslim]

An-Nawawi said: “This Hadeeth is evidence that it is forbidden to help in falsehood.”

You have mentioned that your work may involve recording Riba (interest); this is an acknowledgment of it, and helping in it. So this work is forbidden unless you are in necessity of doing it.

Allah knows best.