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Ruling on Conducting a Feasibility Study for a Company to Present to a Usurious Bank

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Darul Iftaa Jordan
What is the ruling of Sharia on the work of a financial analyst who conducts feasibility studies and plans of action for companies who use them to obtain funding from usurious banks?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

If the data (Feasibility studies and plans of action) are sold to companies whose business is lawful and conducted in a lawful manner as well, then this is permissible. But, if they are sold to companies who deal in usury and forbidden things, then this isn`t permissible because it is helping in sin and transgression, and because helping in what is unlawful is equally unlawful. The evidence on this is that Allah the Almighty says {What means}: " O ye who believe! Profane not Allah’s monuments nor the Sacred Month nor the offerings nor the garlands, nor those repairing to the Sacred House, seeking the grace and pleasure of their Lord. But when ye have left the sacred territory, then go hunting (if ye will). And let not your hatred of a folk who (once) stopped your going to the inviolable place of worship seduce you to transgress; but help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty. Help not one another unto sin and transgression, but keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is severe in punishment." {Al-Mai`da, 2}.

However, if the work of the financial analyst is benefited from by usurers in the sense that it is used in lawful and unlawful businesses and you (Asker) don`t know the party making use of it or was later used by the usurer to charge interest, then there is no sin on you. However, We (Iftaa` Department) prefer that you find a technique to stop usurers from benefitting from your work. And Allah the Almighty knows best.

 

This answer was collected from the official government Iftaa Department of Jordan.

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