Islamic Economics Centre (DaruliftaAhlesunnat)
(Dawateislami -Darulifta Ahle Sunnat)
Question
What do the Islamic scholars say about the issue of working as an AC repair technician in an interest-based bank?
بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
The principle regarding any job in an interest-based bank or any other institution which deals in interest-based transactions is that if the job requires engaging in sinful activities or directly assisting in sinful acts, such a job is not permissible. For example, one is employed for tasks like maintaining records of interest-based transactions, being a witness to such transactions, and similar activities, his job is impermissible. But if one is employed for jobs that do not involve direct assistance in sinful activities such as a security guard, electrician, driver, etc. his job is permissible.
Therefore, in the asked scenario, working as an AC repair technician in an interest-based bank is Permissible because it does not involve direct assistance in interest-based activities.
Regarding cooperation in sinful acts, the Qur’an states:
’’وَ لَا تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْاِثْمِ وَ الْعُدْوَان‘‘
Translation: And do not help one another in sin and transgression.(Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayat,2)
About the permissibility of jobs with shopkeepers engaged in interest-based activities, Sheikh-ul-Islam, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan (رحمة الله عليه) states in Fatawa Razawiyyah:
’’ملازمت اگرسود کی تحصیل وصول یا اس کا تقاضا کرنا یا اس کا حساب لکھنا ، یا کسی اور فعلِ ناجائز کی ہے تو ناجائز ہے۔۔۔اور اگر کسی امر جائز کی نوکری ہے تو جائز ہے۔
Translation: If employment involves collecting or demanding interest, maintaining its accounts, or any other impermissible activity, then it is impermissible. However, if it is for a permissible task, then it is permissible.(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Vol. 19, p. 522, Lahore Edition)
Regarding employment in banks, Mufti Waqar-ud-Din (رحمة الله عليه) states:
بنک کی کوئی ایسی ملازمت جائز نہیں ہے جہاں سود کے کاغذات لکھنا پڑیں اور جن لوگوں کو سود کے کاغذات لکھنا نہیں ہوتے ہیں مثلا دربان، پیون اور ڈرائیور، ان کی ملازمتیں جائز ہیں۔
Translation: No employment in a bank is permissible where one has to deal with interest-related documents. However, jobs that do not involve dealing with such documents, such as those of a gatekeeper, peon, or driver, are permissible." (Waqaar-ul-Fatawa, Vol. 3, p. 324, Bazm-e-Waqar-ud-Din Karachi)
Answered By: Abu Muhammad Mufti Ali Asghar Attari Madani
Ref No: IEC-0194
Date: 9 Shawwal-ul-Mukarram 1445 AH / 18 April 2024
Translated by Maulana Abdul Wajid Madani
وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم