Is dealing with Premium Card company, which grants a card with an annual subscription for interest-free installments, considered gambling due to the presence of a guaranteed loss (the subscription fee) مقابل a potential gain (the benefit of installments)? And does the transaction become valid and free of any suspicion if the penalty clause is removed from the contract?

It is permissible to pay an annual subscription fee to obtain a card that allows for installment payments, as this is a contract of ijarah (definition) (leasing/hiring) in exchange for a known permissible benefit, provided that the transaction is free from corrupt conditions or gharar (definition) (excessive uncertainty). The fact that the customer does not benefit from the card does not make it gambling.

It is not permissible for the card issuer or the employee's company to charge a fee for guaranteeing the employee's installment payments, because it is a loan that draws a benefit. However, it is permissible for the card issuer to charge a fee from subscribers and merchants for brokerage and coordination services.

It is permissible for a merchant to increase the price of a commodity in exchange for deferring payment, provided that the term and profit are specified, and that the price does not increase after the due date.

If the card issuer pays the full amount to the merchant, it is not permissible for them to take more than what they paid from the employee, because it is a loan that draws a benefit. However, they may only take the actual costs of issuing the card.