Question: Is it allowed to work for MasterCard or Visa?
Answer:
It depends on the nature of the work. MasterCard and Visa primarily operate in the financial sector, offering services that are largely based on interest-bearing (riba) contracts, which are not considered halal in Islamic finance.
Therefore, it is not permissible to be directly involved in the creation, promotion, sale, or implementation of such contracts. However, if your role is in a department that is not directly linked to these prohibited elements—such as IT security, software development, or other support functions—then it may be permissible, provided you are not contributing to the haram aspects of the business.
That said, according to the standards set by AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions), working in such companies may still fall into the category of shubhah (doubtful matters), since the core business is not Shariah-compliant. Therefore, it is recommended to give away a portion of your income—such as 5%—for the sake of Allah as a precaution and form of purification.