Are credit cards halal?
Scholars differ. The card itself lends money with interest charged if you do not repay in full. Scholars differ on whether a user who always clears the balance may still hold one.
The views, and who holds them
| Held by | Verdict | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| OIC International Islamic Fiqh Academy (Resolution 108, 2000) | Haram | It is not permissible to take or use a card that stipulates interest, even if the holder intends to pay within the interest-free period. |
| Many contemporary scholars, including Mufti Taqi Usmani | Halal | Permitted if the holder always pays in full within the interest-free period, ideally by automatic debit, so interest is never actually paid. |
Halal alternatives
- A debit card or a charge card that has no interest facility.
- An Islamic credit card (qard or ujrah based) where available.
Quick answers
- Are credit cards halal?
- Scholars differ. The card itself lends money with interest charged if you do not repay in full. Scholars differ on whether a user who always clears the balance may still hold one.
- Who holds that it is haram?
- OIC International Islamic Fiqh Academy (Resolution 108, 2000): It is not permissible to take or use a card that stipulates interest, even if the holder intends to pay within the interest-free period.
- Who holds that it is halal?
- Many contemporary scholars, including Mufti Taqi Usmani: Permitted if the holder always pays in full within the interest-free period, ideally by automatic debit, so interest is never actually paid.
- What is the halal alternative?
- A debit card or a charge card that has no interest facility. An Islamic credit card (qard or ujrah based) where available.
Sources
- Halal or Not? rulebook topic “Credit cards”, live answer (checked 28 September 2026)
- OIC International Islamic Fiqh Academy (Resolution 108, 2000)
- Many contemporary scholars, including Mufti Taqi Usmani
Information, not a fatwa. Where scholars differ, this shows the main views so you can follow the one you already follow or ask a scholar you trust.
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