The ruling on working in private companies that deal with interest-based banks, and likewise in public sectors that deal with interest?

The questioner : Okay, I am also a teacher... meaning I teach at an Islamic school.

The Shaykh : Okay, is there a difference between being an employee in a company and being an employee in the state? We are governed by the state whether we like it or not, such as the taxes imposed on us. But an insurance tax, for example, is not imposed on us as an obligation. Insurance has two types: compulsory and optional. So the one who does the optional one is not excused, just as with taxes. Likewise, dealing in some transactions, one of which is that you are an imam, but your salary comes from the state. The state’s money is all in the banks, and this must end. It is like an usurer who buys from a need; this need sells it, and that is permissible. So there is no direct assistance in this. That is what I mean.

The questioner : I mean the same thing as you said, the benefit to people, the benefit to people as a teacher, or working in the company as a technical job?

The Shaykh : In the company, no.

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : As for in the state, yes.