Question
Many stores today offer some type of reward or loyalty cards. By way of example;
1. _____ offers customers the use of a card which gives the customer a discount on selected products. This is only for those making use of the card otherwise there is no discount.
2. _____ offers customers the use of their points cards. The card being used offers discounts and a system of points when accumulated also translates into a cash discount.
My question:
Is it permissible to use these loyalty/reward cards?
Answer
It is permissible to utilize these types of cards which _____ and _____ are offering to the client, as there is no loan or interest involved. The benefits received from the store (in the form of discounts etc.) will be regarded as gifts to the cardholder.
Checked and Approved By:
Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
References
الهبة عقد مشروع لقوله عليه الصلاة والسلام: “تهادوا تحابوا” وعلى ذلك انعقد الإجماع “وتصح بالإيجاب والقبول والقبض”(الهداية/ج3/ص222)
وَإِذَا اشْتَرَى الرَّجُلُ عَشَرَةَ دَرَاهِمَ فِضَّةٍ بِعَشَرَةِ دَرَاهِمَ، فَزَادَتْ عَلَيْهَا دَانَقًا فَوَهَبَهُ لَهُ هِبَةً، وَلَمْ يُدْخِلْهُ فِي الْبَيْعِ، فَهُوَ جَائِزٌ؛ لِأَنَّ الْمُحَرَّمَ الْفَضْلُ الْخَالِي عَنْ الْمُقَابَلَةِ؛ إذَا كَانَ مُسْتَحَقًّا بِالْبَيْعِ، وَهَذَا مُسْتَحَقٌّ بِعَقْدِ التَّبَرُّعِ، وَهُوَ غَيْرُ مَشْرُوطٍ فِي الْبَيْعِ، وَلَا يُؤَثِّرُ فِي الْبَيْعِ(المبسوط للسرخسي/ج14/ص69)