Question: What is the ruling regarding someone whose circumstances compel him to work in a bank or (any) local money exchanges in the Kingdom (of Saudi Arabia), such as al-Bank al-Ahlee at-Tijaaree, and Bank ar-Riyaadh, and Bank al-Jazeerah, and al-Bank al-Arabee al-Watanee, and Sharikah ar-Raajhee lis-Saraafah wat-Tijaarah, and Maktab al-Kakee lis-Saraafah, and al-Bank as-Saoodee al-Amreekee and other than them from the local banks. (Whilst in their employ) they open savings accounts for the employees who work as clerks, such as: the one who writes the transactions, the checker of transactions, the exchange officer and other than them from the adminstration employees. And these banks provide a number of benefits to attract (potential) employees to (work for) them, such as housing allowance which equates to approximately SR12,000 or more, and two months salary at the end of the year, so what is the ruling regardng this? Response: Working in a bank which deals with ribaa is not permissible, since it has been confirmed from the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he cursed those who ate/benefitted (aakil) from ribaa as well as the one responsible (for the transactions), the one who writes (the transactions) and the witnesses (to the transactions), and he said: «...they are the same/equal...», transmitted by Imaam Muslim.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 19:07:18 +0000