Question – She received a proposal of marriage from a man who works in a riba-based bank
I received a proposal of marriage from a man who prays and is of good character, and all his characteristics are good, but he works in a riba-based bank as a manager in the accounting department. I prayed istikhaarah but I am waiting for your response before deciding whether to accept or reject his proposal, because I am afraid that it would be haraam for me and my children in the future. I hope that there are some clarifications regarding this matter that you could tell me about.
Answer – She received a proposal of marriage from a man who works in a riba-based bank
Praise be to Allah.
It is not permissible to work in riba-based banks at all, whether in accounting or otherwise, because that comes under the heading of helping in sin, but working in the area of recording or calculating riba is worse and more serious, because of the report narrated by Muslim (1598) from Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who pays it, the one who writes it down and the two who witness it, and he said: They are all the same.
The wealth that results from this work is haraam wealth. Hence we advise you to reject this suitor, because accepting it means that your food, your drink and your maintenance will come from haraam wealth. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:
“O people, Allah is good and does not accept anything but that which is good. Allah has enjoined upon the believers that which He enjoined upon the messengers, as He says: {O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing} [al-Mu’minoon 23:51]
and {O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you} [al-Baqarah 2:172]. Then he mentioned a man who travels a great deal [for the purpose of worship and seeking knowledge] and is dishevelled and dusty, raising his hands towards heaven and saying, ‘O Lord, O Lord!’ but his food is haraam, his drink is haraam, his clothing is haraam, he is nourished with haraam, so how can he receive a response?” Narrated by Muslim (1015).
Ibn Rajab (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Eating, drinking, wearing and being nourished by what is halaal is a means of having one’s supplication answered. End quote.
And the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Every body that grew nourished by what is unlawful, the Fire is more appropriate for it.” Narrated by at-Tabaraani and Abu Nu‘aym from Abu Bakr; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘ (4519).
We ask Allah, may He be exalted, to bless you with a righteous husband and grant you blessed, halaal provision.
And Allah knows best.
SOURCE; ISLAMQA