Question Summary:
Is it permissible to work for one who belongs to the Shīa sect?

Question Detail:

Asalam u Alikum,
 
The owner of my company belongs to SHIA sect, by heart he is a very generous person. Is it permissible for me to work for his company? Is my salary HARAM or HALAL?
I have signed a 2 year verbal contract 8 months before.
Jazak ALLAH

Answer :

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
There are various groups and denominations among Shias.  Some have beliefs of Kufr and others are deviated (Dhāl, Fāsiq).   If a Shia has beliefs of Kufr, then such a person is not a Muslim. Hereunder are some of the incorrect beliefs and actions of the Shias:
·        The Holy Qurān we have today is not complete but rather it has been altered, changed, and deleted. [1]
·         Allāh Ta’ālā’s knowledge is deficient and He occasionally makes mistakes. [2]
·         Swearing and cursing Abu Bakr and Umar Radhiyallāhu Anhumā [3]
·        The twelve Imams have a higher status then the angels and Ambiyā. The last Imam is the awaited Mahdi.[4]
·        Uthmān Radhiyallāhu Anhu and other Sahābah became apostates and left the fold of Islām. [5]
Refer to the following link for other incorrect beliefs of the Shias with references from their own books:
http://www.euro-sunni.com/en/Aqidah/are-shia-kafir.html
 
At times it may be difficult to accurately determine the beliefs of an individual belonging to the Shīa sect because of their belief in Taqiyyah.  Taqiyyah is to lie, deceive, and cheat the next person in an attempt to hide one’s faith. This is regarded as a high act of worship to the Shias. General Shias today are from the Ja’fari sect.  Many of their beliefs constitute Kufr.
In principle, if one who belongs to the Shīah sect holds any belief that takes him out of the fold of Islām, then to transact with him is impermissible whether it is a sale or employment transaction.[6]  We do understand that your employee may have a generous personality.  As Muslims we are sensitive to our faith and guard it closely.  To associate ourselves with people who claim to be Muslims but have wrong faith is highly  detrimental to our Dīn and pure Islāmic faith, in which lies the success of both the worlds.  If an individual claims to be Muslim, but possesses un-Islamic beliefs, he may influence us in the wrong direction.  And because his invitation will be based on the name of Islām, we may be easily influenced and persuaded due to lack of knowledge.
Hence, our advice to you is to search for another employment.  In the meantime, continue with your current employment until you are blessed with another one. Continue to make Dua to Allāh that He keeps you steadfast on the truth which is the key to happiness, peace, contentment, and success in Dunyā and Akhirah.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.