Question:

Country: United Kingdom

Assalamu alaikum,

I work for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, which is a government regulator overseeing financial and non-financial firms such as banks, insurance companies, car dealerships and dentists. Its main role is to ensure that these firms operate fairly, honestly and transparently. The firm does not set interest rates or engage in financial transactions itself.

My specific role is in the innovation and technology department, and I work on internal projects aimed at improving the FCA’s own systems, processes and operations. I am not involved in regulating firms, nor do I have any direct connection with interest-based products or financial decision-making. My work is focused on internal improvements within the organisation. Given this context, is my job permissible?

Jazakum Allahu khayran.

(Question published as received)

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

According to the details provided by you, we understand that neither you nor your company is directly involved in interest-based transactions. Your role is to work on internal projects aimed at improving the FCA’s own systems, processes and operations. Hence, your job is permissible. However, if you are tasked with overseeing any interest-based transactions, then your job will not be permissible.

And Allah knows best

(Mufti) Bilal al-Mahmudi

24 Dhū ’l-Qaʿdah 1446 / 22 May 2025

Concurred by: Mufti Faizal Riza

وقال ابن مسعود «آكل الربا وموكله وكاتبه وشاهده إذا علموا به ملعونون على لسان محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم إلى يوم القيامة» كذا في النهاية. (الجوهرة النيرة على مختصر القدوري)

(قَوْلُهُ وَحَمْلُ خَمْرِ ذِمِّيٍّ) قَالَ الزَّيْلَعِيُّ: وَهَذَا عِنْدَهُ وَقَالَا هُوَ مَكْرُوهٌ ” لِأَنَّهُ – عَلَيْهِ الصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ – «لَعَنَ فِي الْخَمْرِ عَشَرَةً وَعَدَّ مِنْهَا حَامِلَهَا» وَلَهُ أَنَّ الْإِجَارَةَ عَلَى الْحَمْلِ وَهُوَ لَيْسَ بِمَعْصِيَةٍ، وَلَا سَبَبَ لَهَا وَإِنَّمَا تَحْصُلُ الْمَعْصِيَةُ بِفِعْلِ فَاعِلٍ مُخْتَارٍ، وَلَيْسَ الشُّرْبُ مِنْ ضَرُورَاتِ الْحَمْلِ، لِأَنَّ حَمْلَهَا قَدْ يَكُونُ لِلْإِرَاقَةِ أَوْ لِلتَّخْلِيلِ، فَصَارَ كَمَا إذَا اسْتَأْجَرَهُ لِعَصْرِ الْعِنَبِ أَوْ قَطْعِهِ وَالْحَدِيثُ مَحْمُولٌ عَلَى الْحَمْلِ الْمَقْرُونِ بِقَصْدِ الْمَعْصِيَةِ اهـ زَادَ فِي النِّهَايَةِ وَهَذَا قِيَاسٌ وَقَوْلُهُمَا اسْتِحْسَانٌ. (رد المحتار علي الدر المختار)