The Ruling on Accepting the Fatwas of the Sharia Committees in Banks

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: What is your view on the Sharia councils and committees that banks establish to study banking transactions? Are the fatwas of these committees considered valid, such that there is no blame on a Muslim for accepting them?

Answer:
This matter is in the heart. The prevailing view is that a Muslim should not rush. It is well known about banks that the majority of their transactions are riba (usury or interest). They do not adhere to Sharia-compliant transactions because they import their systems from the West and from what is done for the sake of interest. So, dealing with riba is the norm for them, and these are the Sharia committees.
These committees bear their responsibility before Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. However, a Muslim should not be at ease except with what his own soul is at ease with. Right is what settles in your soul, and sin is what stirs in your soul, that which you would dislike people to see. Where are the people who give you fatwas and you give them fatwas? Sin is what stirs in one’s self, hesitates in the chest, and stirs in the soul. If a Muslim is not at ease, he should not say, “The committee’s fatwa is valid” or “The committee’s fatwa is not valid,” because it will not end before Allah on the Day of Resurrection. They are responsible for their fatwas, but you are also responsible for your actions. So, if you are not at ease, do not accept them. What your soul is not convinced of, and what does not satisfy your conscience, do not accept it. Your hesitation in it is good, in that it is a sin. Yes. The one who will be rewarded on the Day of Resurrection for the sin. Yes.