What is the ruling on acquiring and operating a Point of Sale (POS) machine in a hospital to collect fees for medical examinations from patients, knowing that the hospital owner pays a fixed amount to the bank for this service, and is he sinful if a patient uses an interest-bearing credit card, which they may have obtained from an interest-based bank, given that the hospital owner does not charge any late fees? And is it permissible to deal with an interest-based bank that has an Islamic transactions branch by opening an account there to collect funds?

There is no harm in acquiring a machine for facilitating transactions. If the hospital's account is with an Islamic branch and it can transfer funds to it, then there is no harm. It is permissible for the hospital to collect its dues from customers via a covered credit card, even if it is from usurious banks, because it is collecting its right from someone the customer referred to it. As for an uncovered card issued by a usurious bank, it is not permissible to deal with it unless the patient is compelled to seek treatment. It is not necessary to inquire about the type of card unless there is a strong presumption of its unlawfulness. In that case, it is obligatory to refrain from dealing with it if it is uncovered and its source is a usurious loan. However, there is no prohibition in dealing with a covered card issued by a usurious bank, following the example of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in his dealings with the Jews.