Determining whether a banking salary is halal depends directly on the nature of the specific job duties performed rather than the source of institutional funding.
Permissibility of Arbitration Earnings
Working for an institution that resolves customer complaints against banks is permissible if the primary duties are lawful. Institutional funding coming from banks does not automatically invalidate earnings. However, the employee must avoid issuing or approving rulings that validate interest (riba), as facilitating interest contracts remains strictly prohibited.
Major Sins and Theological Status
Intentionally killing a fellow Muslim out of worldly motives constitutes a grave sin, but it does not remove a believer from Islam unless they deem the act permissible (istihlal). Regarding the severe warning in the Quran:
“And whoever kills a believer intentionally – his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally…” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:93)
Classical scholars clarify that “abiding eternally” (khalidan) in this context emphasizes an exceptionally long and severe punishment, rather than literal eternal damnation reserved for disbelief.
