Selling dollars for riyals in installments and over varying periods of time
Q 2:
An exchange broker sells US dollars to one of his clients outside
the Kingdom,
in return for
Saudi
Riyals, provided that the client pays
Saudi
Riyals to him in separate installments
at different periods of time, given that this agreement (Part No. 13; Page No. 435) is made through telex. Please advise, may Allah reward you, whether these transactions are valid and in conformity with the Islamic Shari`ah or not.
A:
This transaction is impermissible, because it is a form of Riba Al-Nasi'ah (usury of delay, conditional excess for delay of payment), as they agree on the payment of Saudi Riyals in installments at different periods of time. Riba Al-Nasi'ah is Haram (prohibited) according to the texts and the Ijma` (consensus of scholars).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.