Is Working as an Investment Analyst at Development Banks Halal?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I am working as an Investment Analyst at the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Asian Infrastructure Banks. Are they halal or low-interest loans to the poorest countries, mostly for development projects?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question about Sharia compliance in such types of jobs.

If your job involves facilitating transactions primarily related to interest-bearing loans, such as structuring loans and assessing risks for development projects, then it is considered impermissible. However, if your job focuses on advising or managing investments that support ethical and sustainable development—such as green energy or social infrastructure—and you refrain from involvement in interest-based activities, it may be regarded as acceptable.

Scholars state given the nature of the banks generally, it would be best to avoid interest-based activities even if your job does not directly involve them and look for Islamic finance-based institutions.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha’ Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.

Related: Can I Work as a Research Analyst for an Investment Bank?

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the Islamic Studies Curriculum or Youth Islamic Studies Curriculum, and progress through each course step by step.

I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.