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Using credit cards to withdraw money

06-09-2000

Question 11179

Banks give their clients a card called “Visa” which enables the customer to withdraw money from the bank even if there is no money in his account at that time, on the basis that after a specific amount of time has passed, he will repay the bank, and if he does not pay within this set time, the bank will charge interest, more than the amount withdrawn. The customer also pays an annual fee for using this card. Please tell us the ruling on using these cards, may Allaah reward you with good.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

This transaction is haraam, because it involves a commitment to pay ribaa (interest) if one does not pay within a certain time. This is an invalid commitment even if a person believes or thinks it most likely that he will pay before the time is up, because things may change and he may not be able to fulfil the commitment. This is a matter which has to do with the future and man does not know what will happen to him in the future. So this kind of transaction is haraam. And Allaah knows best.

Credit Cards

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