Is this job permissible for a Muslim to take? (I received an offer)
Assalamu alaykum - I’ve been offered a role and would like some input from fellow Muslims. Context: student loans in the UK accrue interest. Job summary: You’d be working as a Finance Support Officer, helping students with their student finance applications during admissions and enrolment. The role involves making sure students can get help, answering enquiries within set timeframes, and keeping records and systems updated accurately. Good customer service throughout the student lifecycle is expected. Key duties (in plain terms): • Help students before, during and after enrolment with questions about student finance, giving prompt and accurate responses. • Assist students to complete online or paper applications to Student Finance. • Handle student finance matters tied to undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. • Coordinate with other departments and external partners to sort out student queries. • Reply to students’ emails and tickets in the helpdesk system. • Give advice to students and colleagues following the institution’s policies on fees, charging and liability. • Be able to explain current funding rules and compliance so students understand the financial implications. • Provide face-to-face support at service desks and use various communication channels to assist students. • Attend enrolment events and carry out the required financial processes. • Learn and use the institution’s finance systems and software relevant to the role. • Work with all student-facing teams to deliver seamless support. Concern: as a Muslim, my main worry is whether working with student loans that accrue interest makes this job impermissible. The role is advisory/administrative - I wouldn’t be lending or charging interest myself, but I would be helping students navigate interest-bearing loan applications and institutional processes tied to them. Questions I’m hoping others can help with: • Does providing admin/support related to interest-bearing student loans make the job haram, or is it allowed since I’m not directly dealing in riba or earning interest from it? • Are there Islamic rulings or practical guidelines I should consider (e.g., avoid processing transactions that directly involve interest collection)? • If there are concerns, are there ways to mitigate them (like clarifying responsibilities with the employer, avoiding certain tasks, or seeking alternatives within the institution)? JazakAllahu khairan for any advice or relevant experiences. Please keep the tone practical - I’m deciding whether to accept the offer.