i would like to know if this is a source of halal income

Ref no: 0218#

Category

Money Matters

Title

i would like to know if this is a source of halal income

Question

im frm india n im workin in HSBC(hongkong & shanghai banking corp.) in the credit card department as a customer service representative n i would like to know if this is a source of halal income because im really worried about it please reply immediately because i wouldnt like to continue with it if it is against the shariyat and if more detailed description is required please let me know immediately

Answer

Muhtaram / Muhtaramah

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāh wa-barakātuh.

We are pleased see your enthusiasm and desire to refrain from unlawful means of income. Verily it should be the concern of every Muslim to make sure he abstains from all forms of unlawful income. May Allah accept your efforts and grant you the ability to continue with the same zeal and perseverance, Ameen.

To assist in an interest bearing transaction is unlawful and strictly prohibited in Shari’a. It is narrated in Sahih Muslim:

عن جابر قال لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهديه وقال هم سواء

(صحيح مسلم)

Jabir (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasallam) cursed the one who devours interest, the one who facilitates it, the one who witnesses it and the one who records it.  He said they are all equal. (Sahih Muslim)

The one assisting in an interest bearing transaction is regards as equal to those involved in the actually transaction.

There are two categories of employment in a conventional bank.

1. A person who is directly involved in the actual interest bearing transaction, such as a bank teller, manager, an accountant recording the actually transaction, etc; the income derived from such an employment will not be lawful.

1. A person who is not directly involved in the actually transaction, but is merely offering his services, such as an accountant managing previous records, guard, janitor, etc; since the job does not constitute direct involvement in any interest transaction, the income of such work will be lawful. They employee is being paid for his services. However, his income will be contaminated as he is being paid from the income of the bank which is generally haram.

You have stated that you are a customer service representative in the credit card department of the bank. In general, a customer service representative is responsible to ensure the customer is receiving adequate and quality service from the company. If your responsibilities are limited to providing information to the customer and attending to their complaints, then the income earned will be lawful. You are being paid in lieu of the service you provide.

If, however, the duties of your job entail direct involvement in an actual interest transaction, then the income derived for that service will not be lawful.

Nevertheless, we advice you to keep searching for work elsewhere in order to distance yourself from doubtful earnings.

And Allah knows best
Darul Iftaa

Madrasah Inaa’miyyah