Working in banks

Q: Due to his bad circumstances, he had no way but to work to earn his living. He applied at the Civil Service Bureau, but he was not accepted. He says that his bad conditions obliged him to (Part No. 15; Page No. 42) work at Riyadh Bank. He worked in the various departments of the bank and found that the bank is truly usurious. The bank lends a person nine thousand Riyals and receives ten thousand Riyals in return. Moreover, customers' accounts earn interest. This person is sorry for his work in this bank. However, if he resigns, he will be overwhelmed by debts, as he has no other means of living except his salary. Please advise him.

A: It is not permissible for you to work in the banks described, because of the proofs prohibiting usurious dealings stated in the Qur'an and the Sunnah in addition to the Ijma` (consensus of scholars). For example, Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed the one who accepts Riba (Usury), the one who gives it, the two persons who witness it and the one who records it. (Reported by the Five Compilers of Hadith (Imams Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'y and Ibn Majah) and Al-Tirmidhy ranked this Hadith as Sahih (authentic)). It was also reported by Jabir ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed the person who accepts Riba (Usury), the one who gives it, those who are witnesses to it, and the one who records it. He (peace be upon him) said: They are equal [in sin]. You should resign from the bank, as a form of obedience to Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) and avoid Allah's Wrath and Punishment and seek another lawful job. If you leave your work at the bank for the sake of Allah, He will facilitate and make everything easy for you. Allah says, And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. (Part No. 15; Page No. 43) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.