Paying a large sum to conceal age of one's car

2-4-2013 | IslamWeb

Question:

the number plate of my car shows that it is 7 years old. Can I change the number plate to a personalised number plate so that the public would not know the age of my car? I need to pay USD1,000 to the government for a personalised number plate.

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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.

 

If the people knowing the age of your car will cause you shame or embarrassment, then there is nothing wrong with changing its number plate with another in order to remove that embarrassment. We have explained in Fataawa 82764 and 88497 that the Muslim should be careful not to waste or squander his wealth. He should also beware of ostentation and arrogance, as we explained in Fatwa 92308.

On the other hand, if there is no shame or hardship if the people know the age of the car, then it is not necessary to change the number plate only for that purpose.

Allaah Knows best.