Does Noting an Interest-Based Transaction Make an Accountant’s Job Impermissible?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

My sister has a problem that has made her unfortunately stop praying after Ramadan. The following is a message she’s asked an Imam, and even though he replied to her, she still is in major doubt. It’s about interest. This is what she wrote to him:

I work as an assistant accountant in a transport company. My tasks only consist of booking invoices, registering income and expenses, customer and supplier accounting, and personnel administration. The main things like the year-end and the like are done by our main accountant, so I am not eligible with interest.

Recently, the employer took out a loan for the purchase of a truck, so unfortunately, I only have to note the interest in the accounting here, so I do not calculate such. What do you advise me to do, as this is really the only thing I come into contact with interest?

Answer

I pray you are all well.

Her Employment, and Interest

Your sister’s job is permissible, and there does not seem to be any element of it that is impermissible. She is not dealing with interest, nor is she assisting in sin. Her job and income are halal. [Maydani, al-Lubab]

Getting the Prayer Back into Her Life

It’s unclear why she stopped praying. If it’s because she got an answer that made her feel guilty about her job and, as a consequence, decided to stop praying to avoid all guilt, then this is mistaken. Her job is fine.

Even if it was a problem, prayer is an integral part of a believer’s life. Regular performance of the prayer will lead to it being easy to stop vile actions. Allah said, “Indeed, the prayer forbids from lewd and vile (acts).” [Quran, 29:45]

Speak to her. Find the root cause and address it. The prayer is of paramount importance and the first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Judgement.

Help her embrace it again with compassion, understanding, and wisdom. If she feels guilty, then remind her of the mercy of Allah and that Allah accepts everyone who turns to Him sincerely.

May Allah bless you all with the best of both worlds.
[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.