Is it permissible to charge a fixed monthly fee for internet service regardless of the duration of usage, or must the fee be proportional to the time the service is utilized?

There is no objection to subscribing to a high-speed internet (DSL) service for a fixed monthly fee, as it is a contract of ijara (leasing/hiring) for the use of the service for one month. It is not a condition that the lessee fully utilize the benefit; rather, it is sufficient that they are enabled to do so.

Nevertheless, one should consider preserving money and time. If there is no need to use the internet for long periods, then it is more appropriate and better to use services where the cost depends on the duration of use. One must also be careful not to waste time and money using the internet unnecessarily, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about his life and how he spent it, about his knowledge and what he did with it, about his wealth from where he acquired it and in what he spent it, and about his body in what he wore it out."