Question:
Assalamualikum
A person has an atm machine in his store.
A person who is not a customer and whose government cheque is directly deposited into his account, doesn’t want the hassle of going to the bank. Instead he prefers to this shop and swipe his card and let the owner give him money according to how he wants. The owner is a Muslim and wants to know if he can add a service charge to the man. (The man will swipe for $105 and he will give him $100)
The reason for this is that the banks have a small charge on each atm transaction.
Can he therefore charge what the bank will charge plus an extra as he is providing this service to the man.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is permissible for the owner to charge the additional amount for the withdrawal of the cash. He may include the bank charges plus extra for providing the service. This will be regarded as a service fee and not interest, as the owner is utilizing his shop, machine, time etc.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
