{"_id":"6a6f754176d8d04b1e3ef1ad","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Are late payment fees on utility bills considered riba?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Years ago, I had an electricity contract. After the contract ended, the company claimed that I still owed money, even though I had previously been told my balance was zero. I agreed to an installment plan but forgot to complete the payments. I have since resumed paying, but there is still an outstanding balance, and the company is adding late payment fees. They told me these fees are not interest. Due to my current financial circumstances, I will likely pay the remaining balance over the next few months, even though they want full payment immediately. Are these late fees considered riba, and is it permissible to pay the debt in installments?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"Late fees are not riba. It's fine to pay in installments.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"68a50aaa2cc850e0af10384a","tag":"Finance: Interest","count":28},{"_id":"68a506ae5b38fe2a78d808c3","tag":"Finance: Debt & Loans","count":19}],"createdOn":"2026-08-02T16:50:09.763Z"}