In Islam, it is perfectly permissible for a Muslim to work for a non-Muslim providing that the task he is working on is permissible and that the arrangement is a contract for a service against remuneration. 

Working for an Unbeliever

Similar Questions

• Agreement to work for an unbeliever;

• Serving an unbeliever.

The Issue

Some Muslims in Muslim minority countries may need to work for unbelievers, say for an agreed number of hours at a specific hourly rate. What is the ruling concerning this type of work?

Ruling

There is nothing wrong with a Muslim being hired by an unbeliever for a specific task, if that task is permissible, such as erecting a fence, selling something permissible, etc. This is the ruling of the Permanent Committee for Research and Fatwa.[1]

Evidence

'Ali, the Prophet’s cousin, worked as a labourer for a Jew, drawing water for him from a well for which he received some dates as payment. Ibn 'Abbas reports: ‘'Ali agreed to work for a Jew, drawing water from a well, and getting one date for each bucket of water.’ (Related by Ibn Majah and al-Bayhaqi)

This arrangement is a contract for a service against remuneration. As such, there is no humiliation to the Muslim and, therefore, it is permissible.

Sources

• Fatawa by The Permanent Committee for Research and Fatwa

• Sulaiman Muhammad Topoliyak, Al-Ahkam al-Siyasiyyah lil Aqaliyyat al-Muslimah fi al-Fiqh al-Islami.

• Khalid Abd al-Qadir, Fiqh al-Aqaliyyat al-Muslimah.