[Q 291] Employment at Interest-Based Banks

Question

How is it to work in a bank as they charge interest and give out interest to clients.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

It is haram (forbidden) and sinful to work in a bank in a position where you have to deal with interest (Riba) transactions, write interest-based documents, be a witness to such transactions, or assist in any interest-related work in any way.
However, if the job at an interest-based bank does not involve any work related to interest, such as a driver or a security guard, then that job is permissible.

In a Hadith, it is narrated by Hazrat Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله تعالى عنه that:

لعن رسول اللہ صلَّی اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ وسلّم اٰکل الربا و موکلہ و کاتبہ و شاھدیہ و قال ھم سواء

“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم cursed the one who consumes interest, the one who gives it, the one who writes it down, and the witnesses of the transaction, and said they are all equal.”

(Muslim, p. 663, Hadith: 4093)

Aala Hazrat Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan عليه رحمۃ الرّحمٰن writes: “Employment is unlawful if it involves collecting interest, demanding it, accounting for it, or any other unlawful act.”

(Fatawa Razawiyya, 19/522)

Answered by: Tabaruk Madani (Askmufti Scholar)

Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari

Translated answer

Date: 17th May 2024