Ruling on Payback Card

30-11-2023 | IslamWeb

Question:

Hello, I live in Germany. I am writing to ask if it is permissible to sign for a free bonus program or ‘loyalty program’ called payback. In this program, the customer can sign up for free to get a payback card and everytime customer shops from a partner company like supermarkets; he/she can show its card to the counter and collect points and exchange points for cash or rewards. In fact payback is a third party between the partner companies(supermarkets)and customers to attract consumers for them. Is it helal to have payback card?
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 ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His Slave and Messenger.

As long as that card is free, as mentioned, there seems to be no objection to obtaining it and benefiting from the points earned when using it at the partner shops. It is among the legitimate commercial incentives.

Allah knows best.

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