Ahead of Idul Fitri, money exchange services charging fees for new bills spark Islamic law debates. Buya Yahya rules the practice as riba due to nominal differences. He stresses that customer willingness does not alter its riba status.
Ahead of Idul Fitri, Indonesia's tradition of giving new banknotes to children and relatives gains popularity. Demand surges for small denominations like Rp5,000, Rp10,000, and Rp20,000, prompting money exchange services to pop up on streetsides, markets, and malls. Many opt for them over bank queues for convenience. Yet, fee deductions raise questions: halal or haram under Islam? In practice, exchanging Rp1 million often yields only Rp900,000 or Rp800,000 in new bills, with Rp100,000 to Rp200,000 differences as service fees. Buya Yahya, or KH Yahya Zainul Maarif, states such exchanges constitute riba. “If in the exchange one gives old money of 1 million then receives new money Rp900,000, this involves riba due to the Rp100,000 difference. Exchanging old money for new with a difference is riba and a sin before Allah,” he said, as quoted from Al-Bahjah TV's YouTube channel. He asserts, “Even if willing, willingness or not, it's riba.” Buya Yahya suggests a solution: separate the exchange from the fee as distinct transactions. First exchange Rp1 million for equivalent new denominations worth Rp1 million, then pay the service fee separately to ensure a valid contract and avoid riba.
