Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Brother,
I recently came accross an Advertisement by a leading Bank which proposes to introduce an Islamic Credit Card under the name of "Mecca Card" .The Card depicts the picture of the Holy Kabaa as well.

I referred the matter to the Bank highlighting that the Islamic World can do withouth such a Credit Card and requested the Bank to desist from using the Holy Name Mecca and Kabaa if wants to go ahead with the Islamic Credit Card.

Would it be appropriate for the Bank to introduce such an Credit Card which would twist Islamic principles and malign Islam.
I would appreciate a prompt comprehensive answer to this issue, so as to persuade the Bank.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Makkah credit card

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Dear and beloved brother in Islam, it is indeed true that the place ‘Makkah’ and the ‘Kaaba’ are amongst the Symbols of Allah Subhanah and these names hold their own sanctity in the deen of Islam; thus although one cannot say with absolute conviction that the assigning of these names for commercial purposes is deemed prohibited and unlawful in Shariah….it would indeed be morally and ethically inappropriate, nor befits one who believes in Allah and the Last Day, and sincerely reveres His Symbols, to use these names for commercial purposes. And Allah Alone Knows Best.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan