What is the ruling on dealing with an installment company that stipulates an escalating fine for delay, and deducts part of the installment in exchange for immediate payment? Is it permissible to pay in cash and donate the remainder to charity to avoid dealing with them?

The issue of "reduce and hasten" (ḍa‘ wa ta‘ajjal) is a matter of scholarly disagreement among jurists if it involves a pre-condition and collusion. The majority of jurists have prohibited it, while some scholars have permitted it. This is the view preferred by the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwas, and it is a narration from Imam Ahmad, and the choice of Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim. This opinion is preferred for someone who has entered into a contract that contains Sharia-prohibited elements and wishes to exit from it. However, if the reduction occurs from the company without any pre-condition, then there is no objection.