Back to search

What is the ruling on working in a usurious bank for 26 years, given the impossibility of finding another job and the existence of housing loans tied to the position, which could lead to losing one's home and homelessness if the job is left? Is the sin lessened by working in another department of the bank that does not deal with loans? Is the family sinful due to this work?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is not permissible to commit what is forbidden except out of necessity, which is when a person reaches a state where, if they do not consume it, they will perish or be close to perishing, or they fear harm to their life, honor, intellect, or wealth. If you are compelled to remain in a usurious bank, it is permissible for you to do so while striving to find a permissible job, even if it is with a lower salary, because what is forbidden has little blessing. If you can transfer to non-usurious departments within the bank, then do so. Your family does not bear the sin of your work unless they are pleased with it and assist in it, for Allah the Almighty says: "And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another." And whoever is pleased with what is forbidden and assists in it is a partner in the sin.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy