How to Convince My Father to Leave the Haram Job?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul Rahim Reasat

Question

My father works in an Islamic Bank. I think it deals with riba (Interest). I have brought the matter up with him, but he thinks I am not old enough to understand the issue.

What can I do to make him understand and expiate his sins? Can I take money from him?

Answer

May Allah reward you for your concern for your father. Yes, it would be permissible to take money from your father. Based on what you have said, there are permissible elements to his job, which means you can assume the money he gives you is permissible.

Advising Your Father

It is very commendable that you are trying to advise your father on this point. You mentioned that you realized that the industry he is working in isn’t completely halal. Have you spoken to a scholar who is an Islamic finance expert to confirm this point?

Many times, a slight change in the wording or application of a contract can mean the difference between it being permissible and impermissible. Someone not versed in the nuances of the field can mistake one for the other. Also, not all types of insurance are always haram.

An example of this s buying something for a specific price immediately or over a more extended period in installments that contain some ‘interest.’ Both options are valid in the Shari’a, and we do not classify the excess in the second contract as interest.

Perhaps your source had a similar misconception. If you have spoken to an expert and verified that the job is impermissible, all you can do is make your father aware of the facts and politely encourage him to leave. You cannot be aggressive or too firm.

Pray for him. Ask Allah to forgive your parents and guide them to what is best for them in this life and the next. Your dua’s for them will be answered, God willing.

Ultimately, he is responsible for his actions. Keep your prayers for him constant. [Ghazali, Ihya ‘Ulum al Din; Taqi Usmani, Fiqh al–Buyu’]

May Allah bless you with the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.