Q: I am a security officer living in Abu Dhabi. There is a mobile company named DU. They have a promotion to purchase an iphone 4s in 18 months scheme. Every month we have to pay only 200 AED. 18×200=3600. The original price of the iphone is 2700. The deference is 900. If I buy the iphone at 2700 AED, then there is no calling or internet data packages. If I pay every month 200AED then I will get 1GB internet package 200 local call minutes and 50 international call minutes. If I purchase only these internet and calling packages without the iphone then the price will be 200. (to use with any mobile without the iphone). If I purchase the iphone on monthly bases, is that interest? I think that I am paying for internet and calling minutes.
A: If the price is fixed, then it will be permissible, whether the payment is made in monthly installments or in any other way (mutually agreed upon between the buyer and seller).
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
قال ويجوز البيع بثمن حال ومؤجل إذا كان الأجل معلوما لإطلاق قوله تعالى { وأحل الله البيع } وعنه عليه الصلاة والسلام أنه اشترى من يهودي طعاما إلى أجل معلوم ورهنه درعه ولا بد أن يكون الأجل معلوما لأن الجهالة فيه مانعة من التسليم الواجب بالعقد فهذا يطالبه به في قريب المدة وهذايسلمه في بعيدها (الهداية 3/ 21)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)