Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I would like to clarify a few questions regarding women’s rights and marriage in Islam.

To provide some background, I’m a 30 year old woman who has received a proposal for marriage. I have performed isthakhara to seek Allah’s (SWT) guidance in the matter and I believe that I am making a sound decision in marrying this person. He is a practicing and decent muslim, and I know members of the community who will vouch for this. However, my family objects citing an assortment of reasons. My mother has performed isthakhara and has seen, what she interprets as bad dreams – indicating that this is a sign from Allah (SWT) that we should not to proceed. My father has passed away, leaving my brother as my wali or guardian. My brother feels concern since this fellow works in a bank. Though the position itself is not directly related to interest-based contracts, my brother believes any earnings are haram since banks in general deal with interest. Based on this reason, my brother as my wali will not provide consent, and believes that without his consent, my nikaah, should I choose to follow through on my own, will be invalid or void. In addition to this, my brother does not trust his character and believes that this person is, for example, wrong and miserly in sharing a flat with a non-muslim, and that he has something to hide since he did not provide my brother with his bank statements when asked.

Can you please clarify the following, preferably with yes or no answers, supporting rationale and if possible sources that I can refer to.

Given that this person works in a bank, should I say no to the proposal?

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Working in bank proposal

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person,  no grave, no prophet,  no imam,  no dai,  nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Dear and beloved sister in Islam, first and foremost you must know and believe with absolute conviction that in the absence of your deceased father, your mother and your brother who is also your guardian are probably your best well-wishers in the whole world; and even though it may seem at times that they disagree with your choice, it is only because they care deeply about you and wish for you nothing but the best.

 

Keeping that in mind, it would be only be prudence and wisdom on your part to at least listen with deep attention the concerns they have regarding the choice you have made.  It may very well be that because they do not know the brother, their fears or deductions might be baseless or unfounded….but under no circumstances should you doubt their love, concern and sincerity for you and your good. 

 

Although Islam has given the penultimate right to the woman who is getting married to agree or disagree to any proposal; it would only be prudence and wisdom and righteousness on her part to strive to seek the consent of her parents and/or guardians before she decides to embark on such a long-term mission on her own!

 

Your Question: Given that this person works in a bank, should I say no to the proposal?  

Beloved sister, there is absolutely no doubt that the primary business of a conventional bank is based on the system of ‘riba’, something which in no light manner has been described as absolutely forbidden and prohibited by Allah and His Messenger (saws) in Islam.

 

Although one cannot say with absolute conviction that the earnings of every person who works in a conventional interest-based bank is unlawful, there is no doubt that such a person, even if he were not directly involved with interest taking, is a party and accomplice in something which is clearly described as forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (saws); thus he obviously would bear a burden of the sin. 

 

The believing brothers who already work in conventional interest-based banks should fear Allah and make a solemn intention that they would leave their job in the bank at the first lawful opportunity which is provided to them by their Lord; it is expected that if they do this only for the sake and fear of Allah and His Accounting on the Last Day, the Lord will reward them for their piety and obedience and will arrange to provide them their sustenance from His unlimited and endless sources and bounties.

 

In our humble opinion, if the brother you wish to marry has a solemn intention to leave the bank at the first good opportunity and seek employment wherein there is absolutely no doubt of his earnings being unlawful; his just working in the bank at this stage would not be a reason enough to refuse his proposal.

 

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3090        Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, 'When someone with whose religion and character you are satisfied asks your daughter in marriage, accede to his request. If you do not do so, there will be temptation on earth and extensive corruption.'

 

The guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws) for refusing a proposal should be based on the level and status of the suitors practice in religion and his character; but if one is satisfied with these two criteria, then the guardians and the bride-to-be should accede to the suitors proposal.

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan