The amount which we pay to the telecom companies for recharge and the talk-time that we get less than the paid amount, it is all permissible in light of the Shariah. It is not a usurious transaction. The money given to the mobile phone is not currency per se, but is an assurance by the company that one can use it to this extent. Also, with the “balance” that we get in our phones, we derive benefit from the particular telecom company only. We don’t use that to buy anything else or in some other transaction. Thus, if you recharge your mobile for Rs. 100 and get Rs. 86 worth of talk-time, it is not a usurious transaction. The ruling for recharges of other denominations (like recharging with Rs. 50 and getting 41, recharging with Rs. 30 and getting Rs. 23, etc.) is also the same.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Nov 2013 10:02:13 +0000