Q: I am working as a consultant in a micro finance bank that provides loans on interest. Are my earnings Halaal?
A: Riba (interest) and any involvement in interest has been severely condemned in the Hadith. Below are some of the Ahaadith that are reported in regard to the grave sin of riba:
عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهديه وقال هم سواء (صحيح مسلم رقم 1598)
Hadhrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) cursed the one who consumes riba (interest), the one who feeds it to others, the one who records it (i.e. the transaction) and those who are witness to it (i.e. the transaction). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also said, “All of them are equal (in sin).”
عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ليأتين على الناس زمان لا يبقى أحد إلا أكل الربا فإن لم يأكله أصابه من بخاره (سنن الترمذي رقم 3333)
Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “A time will definitely dawn upon the ummah when everyone will consume interest. If someone does not consume it (interest), the evil effects will still definitely affect him.”
عن عبد الله بن حنظلة غسيل الملائكة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم درهم ربا يأكله الرجل وهو يعلم أشد من ستة وثلاثين زنية (مسند أحمد رقم 21957)
Hadhrat Abdullah ibnu Hanzalah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “For a person to knowingly deal in one dirham of interest is worse than committing adultery thirty six times”.
You should sincerely repent to Allah Ta`ala for the impermissible employment that you are involved in and look for another source of livelihood.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)