Answered by: Maulana Tahsin Alam
Question:
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
I recently accepted a job as a software engineer at a financial institution which is not a bank. The company has three products: a travel business, credit cards and charge cards which are the core of the business. So I have the opportunity of rotating and finally settling in as a developer in one of the various teams I wish during the program.
However, my question is that about 20% of the company’s revenues annually come from interest charges from the credit business.
I want to know the ruling on this inshaAllah.
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
It will not be permissible to work at any institute that earns its revenue through haram sources. However, you are not required to leave your job instantly but should exert all your efforts in finding a job which is shariah compliant. When that is possible, you should resign from your current job.[1]
We also advise that you should prioritize finding a shariah compliant job even though it may be less prospective material wise.
Only Allah Ta’ala knows best
Written by Maulana Tahsin Alam
Checked and approved by Ustadha Siddiqa al-Farsiyyah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] Mufti Taqi Usmani, Contemporary Fataawa (Durban: Offset Plate Printing Sevices, 2000) pg. 189-190.