Answer: Designing for a Riba-Based Bank

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Summary Answer

Yes, designing marketing materials (static or motion graphics) for a conventional riba-based bank is haram (impermissible), and the income earned from this specific work would also be haram. This falls under the category of assisting in sin and transgression, which is explicitly prohibited in the Qur'an.

Detailed Answer with Evidences

1. The Prohibition of Riba (Interest)

Riba is one of the gravest sins in Islam. Allah says in the Qur'an:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَذَرُوا مَا بَقِيَ مِنَ الرِّبَا إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

"O you who have believed, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:278)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ آكِلَ الرِّبَا وَمُوكِلَهُ وَكَاتِبَهُ وَشَاهِدَيْهِ وَقَالَ هُمْ سَوَاءٌ

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who pays it, the one who writes it down, and the two witnesses to it, and said: 'They are all equal.'" (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Musaqat, Hadith 1598)

Imam Ibn Abidin (رحمه الله) states in Radd al-Muhtar (5:178):

"It is prohibited to help in sin, whether by writing, witnessing, or any other form of assistance."

2. The Prohibition of Assisting in Sin

Allah says in the Qur'an:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression." (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:2)

Imam Al-Jassas (رحمه الله) in Ahkam al-Qur'an (4:246) comments on this verse:

"This verse prohibits all forms of assistance in sin, whether the assistance is direct or indirect, whether it is through action, speech, or writing."

3. Ruling on Designing for a Riba-Based Bank

Mufti Muhammad Shafi (رحمه الله) states in Imdad al-Fatawa (2:456):

"Working for a bank that deals in riba, whether in an administrative capacity, as a clerk, designer, or in any other role that facilitates their operations, is haram. The income from such work is also haram because it is payment for assisting in sin."

Mufti Taqi Usmani (حفظه الله) in Fatawa Usmani (2:213) states:

"Designing promotional materials for a conventional bank is not permissible because it promotes and facilitates a system based on riba. The designer becomes a means of advertising and propagating a haram transaction. This falls under the category of 'i'anah alal ma'siyah' (assisting in sin)."

Imam Ibn Abidin (رحمه الله) in Radd al-Muhtar (6:384) states:

"Writing for someone who deals in riba, even if it is just writing a letter or document that facilitates their transaction, is haram. How then would it be for someone who designs and promotes their entire business?"

4. The Severity of the Matter

Imam Al-Qurtubi (رحمه الله) in his Tafsir (3:356) mentions:

"The one who writes the contract of riba, the one who witnesses it, and the one who facilitates it in any way are all included in the curse mentioned in the hadith. This includes anyone who helps in any capacity, whether by writing, witnessing, designing, or promoting."

5. Regarding Your Income

Mufti Muhammad Shafi (رحمه الله) states in Imdad al-Fatawa (2:458):

"If a person works for a riba-based institution in any capacity that facilitates their operations, the salary received for that specific work is haram. However, if the person has other work that is permissible, that portion of income would be halal."

Mufti Taqi Usmani (حفظه الله) in Fatawa Usmani (2:215) clarifies:

"The income earned from designing for a riba-based bank is haram because it is compensation for a haram action. The designer must repent and seek halal alternatives. If they have already received the income, they should give it away in charity (without intending it as sadaqah for reward, but rather to purify themselves from the haram wealth)."

6. Practical Guidance

Mufti Taqi Usmani (حفظه الله) in his book "Riba aur Adabi Ma'ashrat" (p. 87) advises:

"A Muslim designer should not work for riba-based financial institutions. If they are already in such a position, they should seek alternative employment. If they cannot find immediate alternative employment, they should make sincere efforts to transition while minimizing their involvement with the haram work as much as possible."

Conclusion

Based on the Qur'an, Hadith, and the rulings of the Hanafi scholars:

1. Designing for a riba-based bank is haram because it constitutes assisting in sin (i'anah alal ma'siyah).
2. The income from this specific work is haram because it is payment for a haram action.
3. You must seek alternative employment and repent sincerely to Allah.
4. Any income already earned from this work should be given away in charity to purify yourself.

References

1. Al-Qur'an: Surah Al-Baqarah 2:278-279; Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:2
2. Sahih Muslim: Kitab al-Musaqat, Hadith 1598
3. Radd al-Muhtar by Imam Ibn Abidin (5:178, 6:384)
4. Imdad al-Fatawa by Mufti Muhammad Shafi (2:456-458)
5. Fatawa Usmani by Mufti Taqi Usmani (2:213-215)
6. Ahkam al-Qur'an by Imam Al-Jassas (4:246)
7. Tafsir al-Qurtubi (3:356)