For an explanation of the word Riba , as used in the Arabic language and the Qur'an, please refer to one of my earlier responses to a question of the Supreme Court of Pakistan [1] . Keeping the explanation provided in the referred response in perspective, I am of the opinion that all the banks operating in Pakistan charge Riba on the loans that they extend. As far as the fate of people working in these financial institutions is concerned, no one in this world can and will decide about that. It is purely in the hands of God - the Almighty and the Most Merciful. What we can say, about the issue is that a Muslim should avoid working for organizations, which base their earnings on such activities that are prohibited in the Shari`ah . For instance, a Muslim should avoid working for an organization that processes pork, as an edible, or that produces liquor because the Shari`ah has prohibited the consumption of these items. Although the Shari`ah has not directly prohibited the processing of pork or the production of liquor, but such processing or production is ultimately going to result in the consumption of these items, which is prohibited by the Shari`ah . Thus, the avoidance to work in such organizations is based on the principle of refraining to co-operate in activities that directly or indirectly entail or result in the disobedience of God. The Qur'an, in Al-Maaidah 5: 2, says: Do not co-operate in matters of sin and disobedience. By the same token, working for a financial institution per se is not prohibited in Islam. However, Islam has prohibited taking Riba . Thus, working in a Riba -based financial institution may be looked upon as co-operating with the organization to earn Riba , which is a prohibition in the Shari`ah and should therefore be avoided, as far as possible. It must also be kept in mind that when a person does not have an option and is directly or indirectly forced to co-operate or participate in a matter that results in disobeying God's directive, without his desire or liking in doing so, it may be hoped that God shall forgive him for such an act. In our present economic and social framework, it seems that a number of people have no option but to work in such organizations. Although it is ultimately the particular individual that has to decide whether or not he really is compelled to do so, but it may be hoped that if they are really left with no other options and are working in such organizations with the commitment that as soon as they are given an option, they would look for an alternative and continuously seek God's forgiveness for their weaknesses, God will forgive them and deal mercifully with them. 9 th June 1999 [1] In my referred response, I have explained that the word " Riba " is used for: "a gain on a loan, at a predetermined rate, which the lender demands from the borrower for allowing the borrower to use his financial assets for a given period of time". Answer published by Moiz Amjad