Dr. Monzer Kahf, Scholar in Islamic Economics & Financial Expert, states the following:

“All of us know that bank interest is a kind of Riba which is prohibited in the Shariah. It is also prohibited to give it, receive or take it, write its contracts and be a witness on them. Hence, any job that requires a Muslim to make a contract of Riba, or be instrumental in making it such as negotiating it with the customer, getting it signed or signing it on behalf of the bank and other jobs related directly to making a Riba-based contract with regards to deposits or financing in a Reba based bank is prohibited.

There are jobs in banks that do not relate directly to Riba such as guards, tellers, treasurers, research, buildings and machines maintenance, etc., I personally quote two of the greatest Muslim scholars’ views regarding that as follows:

His eminence Sheikh Muhammad al-Siddiq al-Darir of Sudan and His eminence Sheikh Muhammad al-Mukhtar al-Sallami of Tunis are of the opinion that such jobs are not included in the prohibition. However, they maintain that jobs which support the Riba-based operations are prohibited.”

Sheikh `Abdus-Sattar Fathallah As-Sa`eed, professor of Qur'an Exegesis and Qur'anic Sciences at Al-Azhar University, states the following:

"We would like to clarify two important points. First, the economy is usually associated with Riba (interest). If you are obliged to work in this field, then there is nothing wrong, and you are excused for doing so. You must, however, repent to Allah, and ask Him to forgive you while striving hard to find another lawful way of earning a living.

Second, if you are directly involved in dealing with Riba, and it is your career and means of earning a living, then you are not allowed to adopt this kind of work.

Finally, working in interest-based banks is not the normal choice of career for a Muslim. You are allowed to work there only if you find it extremely difficult to find a lawful way of earning a living. Try to keep in mind that you should leave this job the moment you find a more suitable one. If you are driven by the sincere intention to find a lawful way to earn a living, Allah Almighty will make it easy for you, in sha’ Allah."

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