Working for a bank

Q: I am working in a micro finance bank as a loan officer that gives loan with interest and i want to know that it is right way in Islam for earning or it is riba income?

A: Ribaa (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 (Radiallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) cursed the one who consumes ribaa (interest), or feeds it to others, the one who records it (i.e. the transaction) and those who are witness to it (i.e. the transaction). And he said: “All of them are equal (in sin)”.

عن أبى هريرة 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 (Radiallahu 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 definitely affect him.”

عن عبد الله بن حنظلة غسيل الملائكة 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 (Radiallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: “If a person knowingly deals in one dirham of interest, it 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)