Is the "Salefny (Lend me)... Shukran (Thanks)" service, offered by a mobile network in Egypt, which allows a user to borrow 3 Egyptian pounds in exchange for repaying 3.5 Egyptian pounds after recharging, considered usury (riba)?
It is permissible to subscribe to this service, as it is a sale of a usufruct (the connection) for a deferred price higher than the cash price, and not a usurious loan. The company sells the connection service at a higher price in exchange for deferred payment, and this is Islamically permissible based on the resolution of the Islamic Fiqh Academy allowing an increase in the deferred price over the immediate price. The problem arises from calling it a "prepayment" or a "loan," which is an incorrect designation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/19081