There are no coincidences in life. None whatsoever. Every single event takes place for a reason.
A few days ago, I posted about the unfortunate loss of my wife's purse, which contained, among other items, her two credit cards.
Then today, I was listening to a lecturer talking on Riba (Interest/Usury) present his argument against keeping credit cards. And I must admit, to date, his argument has been the most effective one I've heard:
When signing up for a credit card, we all agree to pay the interest fees in case the full balance is not paid off after the first month. Many Muslims (including yours truly) convince themselves that everything is halal as long as the payment is made before the end of the month.
But in essence, would we ever sign a similar contract that required us to drink a glass of beer at the end of the month if we didn't pay the credit card balance?
Worse yet, would we ever sign a contract that required us to fornicate with our neighbor's wife if we didn't pay the credit card balance?
In reality, the contract we are signing with the credit card company is much worse than the above examples. So how can any sane Muslim ever sign the dotted line on a credit card contract?
Simple, yet powerful.
And with that short lesson I am able to connect a few more dots in my life. The loss of the credit cards combined with the effect of the lecture has inspired me to be rid of these shiny plastic devils once and for all.
Getting Rid of Credit Cards
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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7 comments:
That is so true. I've never thought about this way subhana'Allah!
Alhumdulillah, I hope it easy for you.
Shaykh Husain once said in a lecture something like this:
"The Credit card, by going against Allah's desire, you loose his Baraqa! And so you could make all the money in the world, buy everything you want and yet still FEEL broke or as if you need more to be happy; its because there is no Baraqa in your money. These credit cards propel just that. On the other hand, use cash and I guarantee you that you will FEEL like you have more money, you will KNOW where your money goes and you will just be a happier, economically-wise person."
Don't you just love Shaykh Husain?
-Faique
Best advice ever! I'll admit I already did that a long time ago because I hate having that feeling of being in debt! And you know that companies will rip you off anyway they can. When we first got married my husband bought a brand new car. Even after losing his job and giving up the car for auction the stupid dealers still expected us to pay $5000! We finally agreed to pay half that after years of them harassing us. These companies and banks are like vultures and the fruits of their (misguided) labors has landed the whole world under a Great Recession. Of course I'm not excusing consumers for their stupidity in spending, spending, spending beyond their means like there was no tomorrow! I also realize why Allah forbids Riba, if the current crisis isn't proof enough for the wisdom behind this law then I don't what is!
You're absolutely right.
Though I have heard that argument before...part of the reason I've gone without credit cards for the past decade.
That and my credit sucks.
DON'T close the accounts. It will affect your credit negatively. Just cut them up, and do not use them, unless you truly do not care about your credit taking a hit.
Good luck being credit card free.
We Muslims are lucky that we know better than to pay interest. So if we dont pay interest, we are OK.
It is like someone saying if you walk in to a bar, you have to buy beer, and you agree. But if you walk by the bar it is OK.
Credit cards are a joke to all sensible Muslims and we laugh at all the tricks they play, but it never hurt us because we never gave in.
AA- Anon,
"DON'T close the accounts. It will affect your credit negatively. Just cut them up, and do not use them,"
But this goes against the basic premise of the contract, that your signing a deal that could possibly force you to commit haram. From my newfound perspective (based on the analogy of drinking alcohol or fornicating with one's neighbor), the mere signing of such a contract is dubious, to say the least.
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