Is it permissible, Islamically, to obtain a Visa card not covered by a bank account for a fee with a specific validity period? And is it permissible to obtain a Visa card covered by a bank account for importing goods not available locally, or to save money, in a country where there are no Islamic banks?
For the issuance of uncovered credit cards to be permissible, it is stipulated that the issuing entity must not take any amount from the customer except for the actual costs of issuance and services; otherwise, it would be usury (riba). Islamic law does not prohibit the bank from stipulating a specific validity period for the card, for "conditions that do not violate Islamic law are valid in all contracts." It is permissible to obtain a credit card from a usurious bank if no Islamic bank is available, provided that the card adheres to Islamic legal guidelines.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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