KARACHI: The National Bank Of Pakistan (NBP) sports division has been faced with a unique situation by Pakistan’s forgotten leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed.
The 34-year-old, who has captured 185 Test and 161 One-day International wickets before playing his last match for Pakistan last year against South Africa in Lahore, has put the bankers in an awkward position since they are keen he continues to play for them in the Patrons Trophy that will start from February 1.
“The problem is that Mushtaq has now become a strong practicing Muslim since last year and has been practically taking part in ‘tableeghi’ congregations and other religious activities. He has refused to accept any salary from the bank saying it is ‘haram’ in Islam to accept salary from any institution which takes interest,” a well-informed source said on Monday.
“When Mushtaq came up with his objection the bankers were put in a quandary since there was no other way to compensate him directly for his services and they wanted him to play for them this season,” the source said.
“Finally they have now come up with a solution —according to which Mushtaq is now being paid indirectly by a third party which does not charge interest in its business on behalf of the bank,” it added. “Mushtaq is satisfied since he says he is now getting interest-free money.”
The leg-spinner, who was a member of the 1992 World Cup-winning squad, has grown a beard and when he is not playing cricket, he remains active in religious activities. —WK
Talk about revolution in Pakistani Cricket Players! Saeed Anwar was the first one to dig in and now Mushtaq, Inzi, Saeed and Saqi are regular participant of Tableghi Ijtema.
Re: Mushtaq Ahmed refuses to take interest-carrying salary
While the intentions may be very pure, but I just have a hard time believing that an arrangement where a "third party" is paying him for playing for the bank is entirely kosher, either. Its just number-shifting.
Re: Mushtaq Ahmed refuses to take interest-carrying salary
The third party will be reimbursed by the bank in some way. Therefore the money Mushtaq is receiving is still the same. Does it beocme halal if paid through a third party?
Re: Mushtaq Ahmed refuses to take interest-carrying salary
There is a strange fatwa regarding this matter, according to which employees who work for such institutions should take "loan" from other source and when they receive salary from their "interest based money maker" employer he should repay the loan using his salary.....
Re: Mushtaq Ahmed refuses to take interest-carrying salary
Hmmm interesting, I better be calling Aalim Online. What i think that if institutions source of income is “interest” then of course they will pay employee from the interest money but if the main source of income of some institute is not interest we can think of it as a non-interest money.
Mushtaq may now be an employee of that thirt party, Allah behter janta hai but my post was intended towards the intentions of Mushtaq as “aamaal ka dar-o-madaar neatoon pai hai”
Re: Mushtaq Ahmed refuses to take interest-carrying salary
khair ye uska personal mamla hai, but he atleast tried what is possible in the circumtances. But I think after this season or contract, he should try joinging KRL or PIA type institution which don't have direct interest based business. Alternatives are there, only if one tries.
Re: Mushtaq Ahmed refuses to take interest-carrying salary
what i get out of it is that the player has been paid by the third party as its employee. on the other hand the bank will re-embarce it to the third party which is not the player's look out.
if mushtaq has accepted this condition i am sure he must have consulted ulemas, so its perfectly fine.
