Question
Assalam O Alikum !
I’ve been working in the Banking industry for the last 15years. Some how I don’t have a satisfaction from my life in the financial sector. Although I have a good progress in my career and in financial terms.
Riba – what we know is forbidden in Islam, unfortunately the entire industry globally is practicing and involved in. Now Islamic Banking has started but the bottom line it touches, if we study, is somewhat similar as conventional banking does.
With experience in this line only, it’s difficult to get a job in another sector. Can I get an advise on till the time I get rid of this industry and start a new beginning, would be appropriate to work in this industry from Islamic view point.
Wasalaam.
Answer
Assalamu Alaykum,
In every situation like this we need to appreciate that there is a principle and then there is the practical considerations of implementing that principle.
In principle, collecting Riba is Haram and facilitating such transaction will be counted as facilitating Haram, so it needs to be avoided.
If we were living in a society that had officially eliminated Riba, then we could have said for sure that anyone who (knowingly and appreciating the Haram nature of Riba) continued to facilitate a Riba transaction in that society was definitely committing a sin. This, however, is far from the world that we are living in at this time. At our time, the practical implementation of the above principle is that:
First, consuming Riba is Haram in any circumstances, so if the person’s job involves him directly consuming Riba then he needs to change his job or the nature of his work.
Second, if the person is not directly consuming Riba but is facilitating it indirectly by working in a Riba based industry, then given the circumstances of our time, it is okay if he continues to work in that industry.
Third, although it is okay, as stated above, however a much more desirable attitude for such person is to look out for opportunities to change his job to one that is not basically a Riba based job and to make the move when it is possible.
Abduallah Rahim