Working for company dealing with interest
Category:
Business Dealings & Money Matters
According to Madhhab:
Hanafi
Reference:
1440-103
Question:
A brother works as an
agent for RA CELLULAR (PTY) LTD. He does installation of machines and customer
services. He fills in the contract with the customer and installs the machine
for him. The contract is attached. They mainly deal with airtime and electricity.
There is an insurance fee which the customer pays to the company. This is
stated on the contract. Moreover, the company deals with DSTV and have
introduced lotto recently. The lotto icon may be removed (and is by the Muslim
agents). However, it does appear in the advertising section.
The brother would like to know if his income is permissible. And what part of
his job description is not permissible. A detailed answer will be appreciated.
agent for RA CELLULAR (PTY) LTD. He does installation of machines and customer
services. He fills in the contract with the customer and installs the machine
for him. The contract is attached. They mainly deal with airtime and electricity.
There is an insurance fee which the customer pays to the company. This is
stated on the contract. Moreover, the company deals with DSTV and have
introduced lotto recently. The lotto icon may be removed (and is by the Muslim
agents). However, it does appear in the advertising section.
The brother would like to know if his income is permissible. And what part of
his job description is not permissible. A detailed answer will be appreciated.
Answer:
There is no problem in installing these machines for customers as it is used mainly for selling airtime and electricity. If the shopkeeper uses the machine for selling something that is Haraam then the sin will be on him and not the installer.
We understand that the Lotto logo appears on the screen of the machine when giving the shopkeeper the option to select his choice of transaction. This cannot be viewed by the customers, hence it will not be considered as advertising for Lotto. However, it will be better for the hirer to remove the icon totally as done by various Muslim traders since Lotto is totally Haraam and will not be required by the Muslim trader.
The brother is simply the installer of the machine and perhaps attends to the maintenance of the machine and it is for this reason that he is employed by the company, hence he should simply keep to these duties and nothing more. He should not fill in any insurance related documents on behalf of the clients as by filling in such documents one will be considered to be assisting in the disobedience of Allah Ta'aala. Since the company derives majority of its income from sales of airtime and electricity, the income of the brother who does installations will be permissible and in order.
And AllahTa'aala knows best
ANSWERED BY: Mufti Mohammed Desai
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B
Date: 13 Safar 1440 English Date: 23 October 2018