Resolutions of Iftaa' Board



Resolutions of Iftaa' Board

Resolution No.(167): "Ruling on the Uncovered Credit Card at the Islamic Bank"

Date Added : 08-10-2015

Resolution No.(167) (8/2011) by the Board of Iftaa`, Research and Islamic Studies:

"Ruling on the Uncovered Credit Card at the Islamic Bank"

Date 26/8/1432AH, corresponding to 28/7/2011AD.

 

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
During its eleventh session held on the above given date, the Board reviewed the following question:
What is the ruling of Sharia when a client of the Islamic Bank requests issuing him a credit card in return for a charge (15-30) JDs, where he uses this card to purchase products while his balance is uncovered, so the bank debits them to his account until his salary arrives. Afterwards, the bank deducts the exact value of those products from the client`s salary. However, if he withdrew a certain cash amount from an ATM using that card-while his balance is uncovered- the bank deducts it from his salary in addition to 4% of that amount?
After prolonged deliberations, the Board decided:
Part one: The issuance charge (15-30) JDs charged by the bank on annual basis  against offering actual services to the client is permissible if it equals them. Also, if the client made a withdrawal from the bank by using this card while having a covered balance, then it is permissible for the bank to deduct a specific fee in return for that service.
Part two: Making a withdrawal through this card from ATM machine while the client`s balance is uncovered and the bank deducting it from his salary in addition to 4% from the withdrawn amount is unlawful. This is because in Sharia terms this transaction is classified as a loan and the Sharia maxim in this regard states that every loan which leads to a benefit is usurious. Consequently, every interest that results from this loan in favor of the bank is a forbidden usury. Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): "Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but God hath permitted trade and forbidden usury" {Al-Baqarah/275}. And Allah Knows Best.


Chairman of the Iftaa` Board, The Mufti General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, His Grace Sheikh Abdulkareem Al-Khasawneh.
Vice Head of the Iftaa` Board, Dr. Ahmad Helayel
Dr. Yahia Al-Botoosh/ Member
His Eminence, Sheikh Sa`ied Hijjawi/ Member
Judge Sari Attieh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Khair Al-Essa/ Member
Prof. Abduln`nassir Abu Al Bass`al/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Oklah Al-Ib`brahim
Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalayleh/ Member
Dr. Mohammad Al-Gharaibeh/ Member
Dr.Abdulrahmann Ibbdah/ Member
Executive Secretary of the Iftaa` Board, Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hunaiti

 

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to fast the six days of Shawwal before making up for the missed fasts of Ramadan?

● If a person missed fasts due to a valid excuse, they may fast the six days of Shawwal before making up for Ramadan fasts, because qada (makeup fasts) in this case can be delayed, while the six days of Shawwal must be observed within Shawwal.
● However, if a person missed fasts without a valid excuse, they must make up for the missed fasts immediately after Eid, before fasting the six days of Shawwal. If they fast the six days first, it is valid, but they must still make up for the missed Ramadan fasts afterward.
It is also permissible to combine the intention of qada (makeup fasts) and the six days of Shawwal in one fast. However, it is better to fast them separately, as this increases the reward and avoids scholarly disagreement regarding combining intentions.

Can someone break a make up fast (qada) after beginning it?

Once a person begins a make up fast (qada), it is prohibited to break it.
If they break it without a valid excuse, they are sinful, and the missed Ramadan fast remains a debt upon them.

Is it permissible for a husband to sell his wife`s jewelry if he was in a hard up?

A woman`s jewelry and dowry are her own property, and it is forbidden for the husband to take either without obtaining her approval. However, it is desirable for the wife to support her husband through considering her jewelry a sort of documented debt on him.

What is the ruling of Islamic Law on obtaining financing from Islamic banks by bringing invoices in prior arrangement with the seller, then taking the cash after the financing is approved — with the purpose of settling debts and buying a car?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
It appears from the transaction described that its underlying purpose is to obtain cash through resorting to a legal artifice (ḥīlah/tawarruq-style trick), and it is not permissible to engage in such trickery or to coordinate with the various parties merely to obtain liquidity. This is because such artifices bring the sale closer in reality to a ribā-based (usurious) transaction, even if it outwardly appears otherwise.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Do not commit what the Jews committed, thereby making lawful what Allah has made unlawful through the flimsiest of tricks." This was related by Ibn Baṭṭah in his book Ibṭāl al-Ḥiyal (p. 47), and many scholars have graded it as ḥasan (sound/acceptable).
We have already explained the impermissibility of engaging in such deceptive dealings with Islamic banks in Fatwa No. 516, so please refer to it. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best.