Is working in interest-based banks forbidden?

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Question:
Interest-based banks are widespread in our lands, and many employees from among the Muslims work in them, under the care of sheikhs, women, and children. Is the income of these employees forbidden or lawful? That is, does it fall under the forbidden riba (usury or interest)?

Answer:
Working in banks is forbidden; because it is a form of cooperation in sin and aggression. Many fatwas have been issued by me and by the Permanent Committee in this regard. The basis for this is the saying of Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He):

And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَى وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

[Al-Ma'idah: 2], and the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic hadith: that he (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who gives it, the scribe, and the two witnesses, and he said:

They are all the same.

هم سواء

, thus making them cursed for their cooperation with the usurers. Therefore, it is not permissible to cooperate with usurers, whether as an accountant, a treasurer, a correspondent, or otherwise; because all of this is cooperation:

And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out

وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مَخْرَجًا

[Al-Talaq: 2]. May they all become inactive:

And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease.

وَمَنْ يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِ يُسْرًا

[Al-Talaq: 4]. Perhaps they will all become inactive, or Allah will accept their repentance and they will leave riba.

Source binbaz.org.sa

The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.

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