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What is the ruling on working as a computer engineer in usurious banks given the lack of other job opportunities?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The question contains several issues:

The first issue: The ruling on working in computer engineering for a usurious bank: It is prohibited.

The second issue: The ruling on working for a computer engineering company that deals with usurious banks: It is permissible, as long as it is not known or strongly presumed that the device is specifically intended for a usurious bank. If it is known or strongly presumed that the work will lead to assisting a usurious bank, then it becomes prohibited. However, a mere possibility does not prevent it. In cases of doubt or mere presumption, it is considered makruh (disliked) by the Shafi'is and permissible by the majority of scholars.

The third issue: The ruling on money earned from working in a usurious bank or a company that deals with banks concerning usury: It is not obligatory to donate it as charity if the original work was permissible and the prohibition was incidental.

The fourth issue: How to act if one cannot find work except in a usurious bank or a company that deals with a usurious bank: There is no harm in working for the company if the work is not related to usury. If one is compelled to work in something prohibited, to the extent that it would lead to perishing or near perishing, there is no harm upon them, while diligently seeking an alternative. "And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect."

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

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