Fatwa #1526725 May 2007Pakistan
Purchasing from Rupee to Dollars
Question
Lets say I go to a Shariah compliant bank and open an account. My account is in (Pakistan) Rupees. The bank gives me a VISA debit card. I go online and purchase something for (lets say) 100 dollars inclusive of shipping charges from a buyer in some other country. Since the purchased item is in dollars, the money deducted from my account uses a currency exchange rate. Please tell me if such a transaction is permissible. Jazaakullah.
Answer
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh
Your bank is in. You purchase an item in dollars. Your bank will have to convert the rupees into dollars and pay the company abroad on your behalf. That is permissible.
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa