Having a usurious credit card to use it without Riba

20-5-2008 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu Alaikum: I know that using a credit card is Haram. I prefer shopping for my children online rather than going to the malls. I also have to buy airline tickets and the easiest cheapest way to do it is if I use credit card online.. and I always pay the payments in full to avoid paying riba ? in these cases is it permissable if I limit them to these things. Jazakum Allah Khair

---

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 not permissible to get the credit cards that condition Riba (interest and/or usury) when delaying the payments, as this is a contract that involves Riba and it is forbidden for a Muslim to undertake a contract with Riba even if he/she is determined to avoid paying interests by repaying in due time.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 81447 and 84519.

You should know that the reason of the prohibition of getting and using a credit card that involves Riba is not only related to the things that the person buys with it, but it is for entering a contract that involves Riba by which the credit card is issued as a result.

The need and easiness in marketing by the internet is not a sound reason that entitles you to enter a contract that involves Riba.

Allaah Knows best.