Q: Is it permissible to work as an energy trader?
The role would involve trading futures contracts.
الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما ومنه الصدق والصواب
A: Trading in futures contracts does not comply with Shari‘ah requirements and so any remuneration earned for performing such activity is not halal.
Essentially, a sale contract must be contracted at spot with delivery of at least one of the counter-values and not contracted for a future date or with deferment of both counter-values. In addition the object of sale must be owned and in the possession of the seller at the time of the sale. Futures contracts do not meet these requirements.