Developing programmes used by usurious banks

24-10-2007 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalam. I am working in IT Company. I am developing software for bank but this software does not involve interest activities. Note : This software displays detail of all type of account ( like saving, loan etc ) but does not calculate or pay interest. Is it halal to work on this company?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

 

If you know that this programme which you design will be given to a bank which deals with Riba (interest or usury) and will be used in bank transactions, whether this is about calculating interests, or savings or loans, then working on such a programme is not permissible as it is helping the bank which deals with Riba in its forbidden work. The work of a bank which deals with Riba is a complete system which ends up with Riba which is forbidden by Allaah. Hence, helping the bank with such a programme is helping in sin.

Allaah Says (what means): {…but do not help one another in sin and transgression.}[Quran 5:2]

Therefore, you should stop working on this programme which is designed for a bank that deals with Riba, and work in other permissible fields of the company where you work.

For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 83019.

Allaah Knows best.

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