Can a Jurist Work with Legal Interest in the West?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I recently learned that legal interest is categorized as riba. In the Netherlands, it is standard practice for jurists to work with legal interest when securing clients’ rights.

Is it permissible for a jurist in the West to work with legal interest, or must I quit this profession entirely? Please provide a detailed answer.

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. Allah (Most High) reward you for your commitment to the religion. This is truly commendable.

If your job entails recording and calculating interest transactions, etc., then this type of work will be unlawful as it is directly assisting in sin. However, if it is only merely recording it afterward, as an accountant would, it is not considered directly assisting in sin. See the detailed links below.

Further Guidelines

If your job does not involve impermissible, like wine selling, recording and calculating interest, etc, your work may be deemed permissible,  even if your company participates in unlawful transactions. Furthermore, your earnings must be derived from halal ways and sources. In situations where your income includes both Halal and Haram wealth, the predominant source will be the key consideration. [Ibn ’Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

May Allah Most High guide us to what pleases Him, forgive us for our shortcomings, and alleviate our difficulties, Amin.

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

Related

• Bank Employment: When is it Permissible? – SeekersGuidance
• Working as an Accountant When Interest Transactions Are …
• Provision and Work: A Reader
• Assisting in Sin

Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance? You can choose from the 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.