Dealing with Banks

29-1-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

1) Is medical insurance Haram or Halal?
2) Is the transaction with banks Haram or Halal? How can we solve this issue as life is changing, and without banks that are free from of interest, business is very hard and Islamic banks are not everywhere? On the other hand, sometimes you might pay fees to banks for many transactions. So what is the ruling on that? Please let the answer be up to-date.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

Depositing money in usury-taking banks is forbidden except when a person does not have any Islamic bank and he fears for his money. In this case, he has to deposit his money in a current account in order to avoid taking Riba (usury and/or interest). This is only to avoid the greater harm.

If one has to deposit his money in a saving account, then he should get rid of the interest added to his capital money and spend it on the general welfare of the Muslims. He may give this money to hospitals, schools, and orphanage.

It is also permissible for him to pay the fees to the banks when he deals with them.

As for your first question, please refer to Fatwa 82599.

Allah knows best.