Sharʿi Ruling on Government Jobs or Receiving Pension in an Interest-Based System
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah – Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām, Vol. 2, p. 230
Is it permissible to work in a government job in a society where the entire system is entangled with interest (ribā)? For example, our government takes loans on interest from the IMF and runs the country with it. In such a situation, are we considered as being involved in interest?
Is it permissible to receive pension, a golden handshake, or to work in banks?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿAmma Baʿd!
In a state of necessity, it is permissible to do a job that does not directly strengthen a ṭāghūt (oppressive) system or an interest-based government.
Narrated by Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī and Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنهما:
«لیاتین علی الناس زمان یکون علیکم امراء سفهاء یقدمون شرار الناس و یظهرون یخیارهم و یوخرون الصلوة عن مواقیتها فمن ادرک ذلک منکم فلایکونن عریفا ولا شرطیا ولا جابیا ولا خازنا»
A time will come upon the people when foolish rulers will be placed over you. They will advance the worst among the people and push the righteous to the back. They will delay the prayer from its proper time. Whoever from you reaches that time should not become an overseer (‘arīf), nor a soldier (shurṭī), nor a tax collector (jābiyā), nor a treasurer (khāzinā).
(Musnad Abī Yaʿlā 2/362, Ḥadīth 1115, ḥasan; Mawārid al-Ẓamʿān: 1558)
This ḥadīth is ḥasan li-dhātihi. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Masʿūd has been declared trustworthy and authentic by Ibn Ḥibbān, al-Ḥākim, al-Dhahabī (al-Mustadrak 3/166), and al-Haythamī (Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid 5/240).
In al-Nihāyah (3/218), ‘arīf is explained as:
"He is the one responsible for the affairs of a tribe or a group of people, overseeing their matters, and the ruler learns their conditions from him."
According to this definition, positions such as:
◈ MPA (Member of Provincial Assembly)
◈ MNA (Member of National Assembly)
◈ Councilors
◈ Union Council Members (B.D. Members)
fall under this category.
◈ If a government job does not directly strengthen the ribā-based or oppressive system, it may be permissible in case of necessity.
◈ In the light of the ḥadīth, one must avoid positions that directly support such systems.
◈ Positions like ‘arīf, shurṭī, jābiyā, and khāzinā – which are directly tied to enforcing or managing an unjust interest-based system – should be avoided.
◈ The permissibility of receiving pension or golden handshake depends on whether such funds directly contribute to strengthening the ribā-based or oppressive governance system.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah – Tawḍīḥ al-Aḥkām, Vol. 2, p. 230
Question:
Is it permissible to work in a government job in a society where the entire system is entangled with interest (ribā)? For example, our government takes loans on interest from the IMF and runs the country with it. In such a situation, are we considered as being involved in interest?
Is it permissible to receive pension, a golden handshake, or to work in banks?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿAmma Baʿd!
In a state of necessity, it is permissible to do a job that does not directly strengthen a ṭāghūt (oppressive) system or an interest-based government.
Prophecy of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ
Narrated by Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī and Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنهما:
«لیاتین علی الناس زمان یکون علیکم امراء سفهاء یقدمون شرار الناس و یظهرون یخیارهم و یوخرون الصلوة عن مواقیتها فمن ادرک ذلک منکم فلایکونن عریفا ولا شرطیا ولا جابیا ولا خازنا»
A time will come upon the people when foolish rulers will be placed over you. They will advance the worst among the people and push the righteous to the back. They will delay the prayer from its proper time. Whoever from you reaches that time should not become an overseer (‘arīf), nor a soldier (shurṭī), nor a tax collector (jābiyā), nor a treasurer (khāzinā).
(Musnad Abī Yaʿlā 2/362, Ḥadīth 1115, ḥasan; Mawārid al-Ẓamʿān: 1558)
Authenticity of the Ḥadīth
This ḥadīth is ḥasan li-dhātihi. ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Masʿūd has been declared trustworthy and authentic by Ibn Ḥibbān, al-Ḥākim, al-Dhahabī (al-Mustadrak 3/166), and al-Haythamī (Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid 5/240).
Meaning of ‘Arīf
In al-Nihāyah (3/218), ‘arīf is explained as:
"He is the one responsible for the affairs of a tribe or a group of people, overseeing their matters, and the ruler learns their conditions from him."
According to this definition, positions such as:
◈ MPA (Member of Provincial Assembly)
◈ MNA (Member of National Assembly)
◈ Councilors
◈ Union Council Members (B.D. Members)
fall under this category.
Summary of the Ruling
◈ If a government job does not directly strengthen the ribā-based or oppressive system, it may be permissible in case of necessity.
◈ In the light of the ḥadīth, one must avoid positions that directly support such systems.
◈ Positions like ‘arīf, shurṭī, jābiyā, and khāzinā – which are directly tied to enforcing or managing an unjust interest-based system – should be avoided.
◈ The permissibility of receiving pension or golden handshake depends on whether such funds directly contribute to strengthening the ribā-based or oppressive governance system.
ھٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
