Are University Jobs Halal When Linked to British Student Loan Systems?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Are the incomes from these university jobs halal, considering British student loans are haram? One involves fundraising for financially struggling students, potentially encouraging student loans. The other involves being a university ambassador, promoting the university and explaining its benefits, which may indirectly encourage students to consider loans, especially when discussing the positive aspects. British universities can also have a lot of fitna.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
It is permissible to fundraise and work as a university ambassador. Your role involves supporting all students and encouraging them to study at the university, not promoting student loans.
The university generates income from many sources, not just student loans. It is their independent judgment whether they decide to take out student loans. The least that can be said is that you might want to avoid doing any work; nonetheless, it would still be permissible.
General Accountability of Sin
In general, one has no control over the actions of others and will not be held accountable by Allah for their deeds. Allah says:
“And every soul earns not (blame) except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another.” [Quran 6:164]
Degrees of Assisting Another in Sin
In the Hanafi School, this has levels:
- It is haram to do that which is a direct cause of sin;
- It is disliked to do that which is an indirect cause of sin;
- It is better to avoid that which could be a cause for sin.
It is impermissible (haram) to do something that directly assists in sin, slightly disliked (makruh tanzihan) to do that which indirectly assists in sin, and better to avoid something that may be a possible cause for sin. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Zayla‘i, Tabyin al-Haqa’iq; Nahlawi, Durar al-Mubaha; Usmani, Fiqh al-Buyu’]
I would like you to read the valuable answers below. Insha’Allah, you will gain a deeper understanding of your question.
Related: What are the principles of work and Assistance in sin? [Video]–SeekersGuidance
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
