Buying Gold in Instalments or Online: What Scholars Say

Sheikh Ibn Baz and Saudi Arabia's Permanent Committee held that gold must be sold hand to hand: you pay and receive it in the same sitting, so they did not allow instalments. We found no Saudi fatwa that names buying gold through Tabby or Tamara. We are a price site and don't issue rulings. This page gathers scholars' words with their sources; for your own case, ask a scholar or the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta.

What does "hand to hand" mean?

The whole deal is completed in one sitting: you hand over the money and take the gold, with nothing deferred on either side. These scholars apply this to gold bought with banknotes too, not only gold for gold, because paper money took the place of gold and silver.

What Sheikh Ibn Baz said

Asked about gold sellers offering deferred payment, he answered that it isn't permitted to sell gold, silver or paper money on deferred terms, and called the practice wrong.

In another fatwa on paying with banknotes, he said it is fine if it is hand to hand, and that the buyer shouldn't take the gold and promise to pay later.

The Permanent Committee and remote purchases

Al Watan newspaper reported a Permanent Committee ruling on gold ordered by phone with payment and delivery deferred: the contract isn't permitted because receipt of both sides is delayed. The same report cites Ibn Baz, Abdulrazzaq Afifi, Abdullah bin Ghadyan and Abdullah bin Qaud requiring both sides to be present in the sitting.

And Tabby and Tamara?

Two things need separating:

Buying through Tabby and Tamara in general: Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mutlaq, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, said on Saudi TV's "Fatawa" programme in 2022, as reported by Sada, that it involves no riba and one may buy through them. The report doesn't mention gold.
Gold specifically: we found no Saudi fatwa naming gold with Tabby or Tamara. The general statement doesn't mean gold is included, because gold carries the hand-to-hand condition.

And credit cards?

Here there is a clear difference of opinion:

Sheikh Al-Mutlaq allowed buying gold with a non-covered credit card on Saudi TV in 2023.
International Islamic Fiqh Academy resolution 108 (2/12), from its session in Riyadh, says gold and silver may not be bought with a non-covered card.

With a debit or mada card the money leaves your account when you pay, but ask about your own case here too.

In practice

These are steps to avoid doubt, not a ruling:

Pay in full when you collect, if you can.
In a shop: pay and take the piece at the same time.
If you want instalments: ask a scholar first, with the provider's contract in hand.
Online: ask first, because delivery usually comes after payment.
If the money isn't enough: saving first, or a smaller bar, avoids the question.

Sources

Sheikh Abdulaziz Ibn Baz: selling gold and silver on deferred terms (Arabic).
Sheikh Abdulaziz Ibn Baz: buying gold on deferred terms (Arabic).
Al Watan: report on buying gold online (7 May 2021, Arabic), citing the Permanent Committee.
Sada: Al-Mutlaq on Tabby and Tamara (26 August 2022, Arabic).
Sada: Al-Mutlaq on buying gold by credit card (30 March 2023, Arabic).
International Islamic Fiqh Academy, via IslamQA: resolution 108 (2/12) (Arabic).

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy gold in instalments?

Ibn Baz and the Permanent Committee did not allow deferring payment for gold and required it to be hand to hand. Ask a scholar about your case.

Can I buy gold with Tabby or Tamara?

We found no Saudi fatwa naming gold with them. Sheikh Al-Mutlaq spoke about buying through them in general, and gold has the hand-to-hand condition, so ask before buying.

Can I buy gold online?

Opinions differ. Saudi fatwas reported by Al Watan required both sides to be present in the sitting, and delayed delivery is the reason for the prohibition.

Does this site give religious rulings?

No. We quote the texts with their sources; rulings are for scholars.

Can I buy gold in instalments or online? Tabby, Tamara and what scholars say