Discussion regarding those who work in institutions based on riba (usury or interest).

Al-Halabi : I say, our Shaykh, your previous statement was about a regular institution that deals in riba (usury or interest), and so on. You said that it is permissible for the employee there to take this salary, or something like that, because he is performing a job. I do not think, rather I believe from your previous fatwa, our Shaykh, that this applies to banks or institutions established to fight Allah and His Messenger. It would be good if you could clarify the distinction?

The Shaykh : This is correct. My statement is understood in its proper sense. The brother’s observation has validity in fact. Our previous discussion revolved around some scientific institutions, as I mentioned, such as those for memorizing the Qur'an. These institutions are funded by people of good, and among them, as I said, are owners of banks. I said that it is permissible for these employees in charitable institutions to take those salaries, even if there is a mixture of some riba (usury or interest) money in them. The brother is now drawing attention to what we often discuss, which is that it is not permissible for a Muslim to be an employee in a department that deals in riba. In a bank that deals in riba, it is not permissible to be an employee, whatever his position, even if it has no direct connection to riba. As I say many times, even a janitor who collects the garbage in this bank, who has no direct relationship with riba in recording, presenting, or receiving it, or the like. We say that it is absolutely not permissible for a believer to be employed in a riba (usury or interest) bank, from the top manager of this bank to the janitor. They are all cooperating in evil. Our Lord, Mighty and Majestic, says in the clear text of the Noble Qur'an: And our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) mentioned in some hadiths what explains this noble verse: Among this is what has a connection to the subject of banks. He said, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him: The two witnesses may be from outside, not employees of the bank, but because they facilitate the eating of riba (usury or interest) and what it is consumed with, the curse included them, may Allah protect us from that, let alone the hadith: And the Messenger (peace be upon him) enumerated these types, and the common factor uniting all these types is their cooperation in drinking intoxicants, each in his own way.