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Fatwa CenterUsed a Credit Card Then Repented
Question
As salamu alaykum.
I foolishly used a interest free card. There is 9 months to go before interest sets in. I know this was haram and I repented sincerely because I don’t to be at war with Allaah swt.
I have a serious health issue that is why I fell into using this card because no one else would loan me money.
I deeply regret this sin and other sins I have fallen into since my last hajj-umrah. I desperately want to go to Umrah and seek forgiveness as hadeeth mentions “one umrah to another” considering I am paying this debt monthly as agreed and will pay prior to any Riba should I go to umrah and repent for this? Am I considered to be participating in riba still considering I repented but I’m financially stuck?
Please advise
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, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
You mentioned your dire need to use that credit card and that you are regular in repaying the installments, and that you avoid delaying your payments because you fear that interest will be imposed on you. Since this is the case, it is hoped that there is no harm on you and you are not sinful according to the Fatwa of the The European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) about the use of credit cards in those countries where there are no legitimate alternatives. The Fatwa reads:
“Most of the contemporary scholars, as far as we know, held that using them (credit cards) is permissible only in case of dire need and valid necessity, and provided that the (card) holder pays the required due payments on time before the expiration of the grace period so as to avoid any usurious interests charges that are imposed in case of delayed payment, and accordingly bears the sin of engaging in an usurious transaction. This is the common practice of Muslims in western countries and no scholar, whose opinion holds considerable authority in this regard, has criticized (objected to) this practice...” [End of quote]
However, if you are able to perform ‘Umrah and this is not obligatory, then all the best, otherwise there are many doors of virtue, such as fasting, prayer, charity and other ways of benevolence and righteous deeds, that one can perform.
For more benefit on the use of credit cards, please refer to Fataawa 396634, 394303, 329110, and 296455.
Allah knows best.
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