Obligation to pay accumulated bank fees

19-6-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

assalamo alaikom.i left my country 5 years ago and I didn't close my banc accompt because t thought that once its inactive it would close automatically,but I found out that the banc did not close it and they are still accumulating banc fees on me even I don't use it.my question is:do I have to pay those fees.jazakom allah khayr.assalamo alaikom

---

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 is His slave and Messenger.

Based on what you mentioned, the negligence was apparently on your part because you did not close the account.

If this is the case, and the agreement between you and the bank stipulates that the account open would be left open until you request to have it closed, and you did not do so, and as a result of leaving it open, there were service fees every month or every year, then you have to pay those fees unless the bank exempts you from paying them and forgives the debt, as Allaah says (what means): {O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.} [Quran 5:1]

Allaah Knows best.