QUESTION:
As Salaamu Alaikum,
This is for a Fatwa to be declared so that we are rightly guided at all times, Aameen, it is also not meant to target anyone in particular, for an individual whose job as the Manager of a conventional banking institution involves the approval of daily riba transactions, can that person be admitted to a position of top leadership within the Majlis Shura of the governing body of Muslims in that Jamaah, state or country? May ALLAH AWJ strengthen us with true guidance.
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
With respect to working in a bank (being employed by the bank), the expert Jurists (Fuqaha) have written that the work at the bank is based on Riba (interest/usury), and doing such work which is connected to Riba is Haram. In an authentic Hadith, it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W) has sent curse upon those who take Riba; those who give Riba; those who write it; those who are witnesses to it and those who become the means/media for it’ (Abu Dawood Hadith No. 3333; Tirmidhi Hadith No. 1206).
All these people have been cursed by the Prophet (S.A.W) because they all help one another in Riba (interest) bearing transactions.
The scholars have stated that those who are employed by the bank and are involved in different departments like documenting the interest bearing transactions; involved in the accounts of it; approve such transactions; give and accept the interest etc, are all included in the words of the Prophet (S.A.W) and are directly involved in the support of sinful activities.
As such, working in the bank is not permissible. (Kitabul Fatawa Vol. 5 Page. 392 Zam Zam Publishers Karachi 2008).
Based on this, it will not be permissible for one who works for the conventional bank and is directly involved in approving interest based transactions to occupy a leadership role in a masjid. The reason is that such a role is a sacred one, and is a very great service for the masjid and the Muslim community. While speaking about this, Allah says, ‘Only those shall maintain/upkeep the Masajid (Mosques) of Allah, who believe in Allah and the last day, and establish prayer and give Zakat, and fear no one except Allah. They, hopefully will be among the guided.’ (9:18)
The above verse clearly highlights the fact that those who are engaged in the upkeep, and care and are working for the Masajid, must be practicing Muslims who have the fear of Allah in their hearts. They are the ones who must fear Allah the most, since they are workers for the houses of Allah, who make laws and guidelines for the running of the Masjid in accordance to the laws of Allah and the teachings of the Prophet (S.A.W). As such, people who occupy such leading roles in a Masjid, must ensure that their actions are in accordance to the teachings of the sacred Shariah.
Therefore, one who is engaged in any work/job which is deemed to be unlawful in Islam must not be appointed to any such leadership role in a Masjid.
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
28/03/2019