Permissibility of using credit cards
Question:-
What is the Shari’ee proof that supports the use of credit cards? Many people have sufficient funds in their debit account, yet they purchase goods on credit using the credit card. Is this permitted in Shariah?
Answer:-
If by requesting proof, you refer to finding proof from the Quraan, Hadith or Kitaabs of the Fuqaha then obviously there is no proof in any of these sources. The concept of credit and debit cards didn’t exist in that era. In terms of permissibility, there is no issue in utilizing the card as long as the bill is met within the 55 day interest free period.
A logical example of understanding the credit and debit card concept is as follows:
A person has R10 000.00 cash saved in his home. These funds may be utilized to fulfill his needs. However, in spite of having adequate cash at his disposal to fulfill his needs he borrows R20 000.00 from a family member (interest free) and fulfills his needs. Now although there was no necessity to take a loan of R20 000.00 it was acceptable for him to take the loan in the light of Shariah. Exactly in the same manner, one may have adequate funds in his debit card to fulfill his needs, then too, there is no restriction on him from a Shari’ee point of view in acquiring a credit card with the proviso that the debt incurred by using the card is settled within the interest free period.
Notwithstanding the above, if you are still in doubt in regards to utilizing a credit card, then we suggest that you make use of a debit card only. The Hadith states, “Leave out those things that put you into doubt and go towards those things that are doubt free.”
سود لاگو ہونا : واضح رہے کہ کریڈٹ ہولڈر کے ساتھ بینک کا عقد قرضہ کا ہوتا ہے ، کہ بینک کی طرف سے دی ہوئی رقم کارڈ ہولڈر کے ذمہ قرض ہوتی ہے ، اور قرض کے سود کی یہ شرط فاسد لگی ہوتی ہے ، کہ اگر متعین مدت میں رقم ادا نہ کی تو سود ادا کرنا ہوگا لیکن قرض عقود تبرع میں سے ہے عقد معاوضہ نہیں ، اور حنفیہ کے نزدیک اصول یہ ہے کہ عقود معاوضہ میں شرط فاسد لگانا عقد کے فاسد کردیتا ہے ، عقود تبرع میں شرط فاسد خود لغو ہوجاتی ہے اور عقد فاسد نہیں ہوتا ، البتہ شرط فاسد لگانے کی خرابی لازم آتی ہے – لیکن اگر شخص اس بات کا مکمل عہد وپیمان کرلے کہ اس شرط فاسد پر کبھی بھی عمل نہ ہوگا ، اوع وہ بلوں کی قیمت مقررہ مدت کے اندر ادا کردے گا اور سود کی ادائگی کی نوبت نہیں آنے دیگا ، تو ان شاء اللہ اس شرط فاسد کا گناہ نہیں ہوگا – فتاوی دار العلوم زکریا ص۳۸۸ ج