Working In a Company That Deals with Israel
Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Question
I live in the United States. I work for a copy printing company that sells Xerox copiers and printers for local stores. Xerox has some Israeli-made items and patents that are sold to military bases and other businesses in America. They also have an office in Israel which is occupied territory. Overall they do business with Israel, and I do not feel at all good about this when I found out. Although the company has not publicly stated their position in the conflict, their continued business in both occupied lands and delivery to American military bases speaks a lot. What should I do as a Muslim in this situation? I know I can work and do business amongst other religions, but this is very difficult because Xerox also sends them copiers as well.
Answer
I pray you are well.
The best advice for such a situation is what the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said to Wabisa b. Ma’bad, “Ask your heart! Virtue is what the soul and heart feel at ease with, and vice is what is dubious in the heart and unsettling in one’s chest, even if people keep telling you [otherwise].” (Tirmidhi)
Yes, you don’t have to leave the job, and it may not even be the best thing for you right now. See if you can raise the issue with the company. They may choose to take a stance.
If nothing comes of that then follow what your heart tells you. If you stay, you don’t need to feel guilty. Your work does not mean you are enabling oppression. If you feel you need to leave or do something else, then ask Allah for help, plan accordingly, pray an istikhara, and go ahead.
May Allah facilitate what is most pleasing to Him.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
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.
