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Question:

If a person has a credit card loan with very high interest rates, can they take out an interest bearing loan with a lower interest rate to pay off the credit card loan. The result being that they still have an interest bearing loan outstanding, but would pay less interest?

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

The Answer:

One should initially and earnestly seek a Shariah compliant method such as a gratuitous loan to pay off the credit card debt with high interest.  If one cannot find any Shariah compliant financing to free oneself of a credit card with high interest, then, one should seek financing with 0% APR for the highest number of months possible.  If one cannot acquire any 0% APR offers, then, as a last resort and purely to save oneself from more sin, one may take out a credit card with a lower rate of interest.  Furthermore, one should seek continuous repentance and forgiveness from Allah for engaging in interest bearing transactions.

The Fiqh (jurisprudence of the Answer):

Contemporary scholars are split in their opinions on credit facilities as a result of different cards in the market, different geographical needs, different factors affecting sustainability and development of the community.  Whilst some contemporary scholars are of the opinion credit cards are not permissible at all even if one does not pay interest, other scholars such as Mufti Taqi Uthmani, Mufti Khalid Saifullah and Mufti Radha ul Haq have expressed the permissibility of using a card facility if one is confident of repaying the outstanding balance before any interest accrual[1].

The reasoning behind the above is that a credit card facility with 0% APR and interest accrual only upon default is essentially a loan with an irregular term in the contract.  Irregular terms and clauses are void and nonexecutive in gratuitous contracts.  Thus, the clause is considered to be inactive and dormant unless one fails to pay (A credit card with agreed and defined interest repayment from the outset is a interest (riba) contract and not a loan agreement different in ruling to the former credit card).
The principles of ḍharūrah (necessity) dictate that one should sequentially seek alternative modes of financing.  Only if one cannot find any Shariah compliant financing or 0% APR financing, there is concession to apply for a credit facility with lower interest rates.  Generally, this is not permissible as a credit facility with pre-agreed and guaranteed interest repayment is an interest bearing contract.   However, the concession is premised on Istiḥsān (jurisitic preference) considering that one will end up paying less interest as a result and thus the sin of paying interest will be relatively less.

And Allah Ta’ālā Alone Knows Best

Mufti Faraz Adam,
www.darulfiqh.com
 
DISCLAIMER:
The views and opinions expressed in this answer belong only to the author and do not in any way represent or reflect the views of any institutions to which he may be affiliated.
Arguments and ideas propounded in this answer are based on the juristic interpretations and reasoning of the author. Given that contemporary issues and interpretations of contemporary issues are subjective in nature, another Mufti may reach different conclusions to the one expressed by the author. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure total accuracy and soundness from a Shari’ah perspective, the author is open to any correction or juristic guidance. On the event of any juristic shortcomings, the author will retract any or all of the conclusions expressed within this answer.
The Shari’ah ruling given herein is based specifically on the scenario in question.  The author bears no responsibility towards any party that acts or does not act on this answer and is exempted from any and all forms of loss or damage.  This answer may not be used as evidence in any court of law without prior written consent from the author.  Consideration is only given and is restricted to the specific links provided, the author does not endorse nor approve of any other content the website may contain.


[1] Contemporary Fatawa, page 179, Idara-e-Islamiat
Fatawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya (2012), vol.5 page 388, Zamzam Publishers
Kitabul Fatawa (2008), vol 5 page 212-213, Zamzam Publishers
http://www.deeneislam.com/ur/verti/jadid/credit_card/FATWA/article.php?CID=83
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