Working in Riba-based banks in non-Muslim countries
18-2-2013 | IslamWeb
Question:
Is working in banks allowed in India on a condition that it is a non-Muslim country and Because of this, there is no security for a Muslim citizen and hence they are becoming economically backward? plz give appropriate answer along with reason.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
It is an unquestionable and a well-known fact in the religion of Allaah that dealing with Riba (i.e. usury or interest) – either by taking it or giving it – is forbidden; there is evidence for this in the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of the Prophet 
and the consensus of the scholars. Allaah Says (what means): {O you who have believed, fear Allaah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allaah and His Messenger.}[Quran 2:278-279] Besides, the Prophet said: “Allaah has cursed the one who consumes Riba, the one who gives it to others, the one who records it and the one who witnesses it (its transaction).” The Prophet then said: “All of them are equal in sin.” [Muslim]
Hence, what is unquestionably confirmed to be forbidden cannot be permissible except with a dire necessity. Allaah Says (what means): {… while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled. And indeed many lead [others] astray through their inclinations without knowledge. Indeed, your Lord He is most knowing of the transgressors.}[Quran 6:119]
As regards what you mentioned that the Muslims are economically backward, then this is not due to the prohibition of dealing with Riba, as most of the Muslim banks nowadays are based on Riba; despite this fact, they (the Muslims) are economically underdeveloped, and the banks that stopped dealing with Riba have achieved an enormous development. Indeed, Riba is destroyed as Allaah Says (what means): {Allaah destroys interest and gives increase for charities. And Allaah does not like every sinning disbeliever.}[Quran 2:276] Allaah also Says (what means): {And whatever you give for interest to increase within the wealth of people will not increase with Allaah. But what you give in Zakah, desiring the countenance of Allaah - those are the multipliers.}[Quran 30:39]
It should be noted that the good intention does not change the characteristics of things and their rulings; Al-Ghazaali 
said: “Acts of disobedience do not turn into acts of obedience by intention, so an ignorant person should not understand this from the general saying of the Prophet : ''Indeed, actions are judged by their intentions”, thinking that an act of disobedience can turn into an act of obedience."
However, the sound procedure that is confirmed to be effective is that Muslims should endeavor to set up Islamic banks and make the banks abide by the system of Islamic banking. This is what will achieve for the Muslims an economic development and a civilizational progress.
Allaah Knows best.