Is Using a New Account Discount with the Same Details Dishonest?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
We wanted to order from a restaurant but chose my phone for a 50% discount, since I had ordered from it before on my sister’s phone.
I realized my account had her name, addresses, and her card, as she had used my phone before. Is this haram or deceit?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate
Donate the discount amount to charity, or simply let it go with repentance. Many scholars say repayment isn’t required for corporate promotions.
If the discount was clearly for “first order on this account,” using another account is halal, as you followed the terms and didn’t deceive.
But if it were “one per person” or “one per household,” deliberately using a different account to get the discount would be impermissible and considered deception.
Using your sister’s details with her permission isn’t an issue; the ruling depends on what the promotion restricted. Not knowing the terms then removes sin, and this is a minor matter not worth stressing over.
Contracts bind Muslims
In Islam, Muslims are bound by terms, contracts, knowledge, and intentions.
Allah Most High says: “O you who believe, fulfill your binding obligations…” [Quran, 5:1; Keller, The Quran Beheld]
Kathir bin’ Amr bin’ Awf Al-Muzani narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“Reconciliation is allowed among the Muslims, except for reconciliation that makes the lawful unlawful, or the unlawful lawful. And the Muslims will be held to their conditions, except the conditions that make the lawful unlawful, or the unlawful lawful.” [Tirmidhi]
Muslims fulfill their conditions [Sarakhsi, Al-Mabsut]
Muslims Fulfill their Conditions
Muslims are always bound by their terms and conditions in contracts, business transactions, marriage agreements, partnerships, and disputes, among other areas.
Most Important Thing
The fact that you paused and considered asking or seeking guidance shows mindfulness (taqwa). Islam isn’t about catching people out; it’s about keeping hearts pure.
Mu’awiya ibn Abi Sufyan reported: The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace)said, “You must be truthful.
Verily, it leads to righteousness, and they are both in Paradise. Beware of dishonesty, for it leads to wickedness, and they are both in the Hellfire.” [Tabarani, Al-Mujam al-Kabir]
And Allah knows best.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
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Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
