Q 2: There is a Prophetic Hadith saying, Allah has cursed the devourer (taker) of Riba (usury) and its payer. And in another narration: ... And the one who witnesses it, and that who records it. Is it permissible for me to work for a person dealing in Riba? What is the ruling if I can not find any other person to work for and I am obliged to continue to work for this person, especially at the present time?

A: It is impermissible for a Muslim to work for a bank, a corporation, a company or a person dealing in Riba because of the evidence indicating the prohibition of taking Riba and the assistance of it, and there are many other available jobs, so whoever fears Allah, He will make his matter easy for him. Moreover, here is the wording of the Hadith: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has cursed the devourer (taker) of Riba (usury/interest), its payer, its writer and its two witnesses. He (peace be upon him) said, "They are all equal [in the degree of sin]." (Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) book of Hadith) And Al-Bukhari also narrated part of the Hadith on the authority of Abu Juhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) with the wording: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has cursed the devourer (taker) of Riba (usury) and its payer; the woman who tattoos and the woman who has herself tattooed, as well as the image-maker. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.