ruya Launches Cashback Credit Card in the UAE with 2% Returns
Digital Islamic bank ruya has introduced a new Mastercard Cashback Credit Card in the UAE, expanding its consumer payments offering with a Shari’ah-compliant product designed to reward everyday spending. The card offers 2% cashback on eligible purchases across common spending categories such as groceries, fuel, dining, and online shopping.
According to the bank, the cashback benefit applies to all eligible transactions without a minimum spend requirement. The only excluded category mentioned is government-related transactions. This structure allows cardholders to earn rewards on routine purchases regardless of transaction size, while keeping the product aligned with Islamic banking principles.
ruya said customers will be able to view and redeem cashback through its mobile banking application. Cashback can be applied against unbilled transactions, giving users a digital way to manage and use rewards within the app.
Monthly Billing and Payment Cycle
The new card follows a monthly billing cycle. Statements are issued on the 25th of each month, and payment is due on the 18th of the following month. This schedule provides a predictable repayment framework for customers using the credit card.
Christoph Koster, Chief Executive Officer of ruya Bank, said the launch was intended to simplify rewards for customers while preserving Shari’ah compliance.
“We wanted to create a product that removes the complexity from rewards, offering a transparent, Shariah-compliant way for our customers to realise genuine value from their daily spending. This card is about making financial empowerment accessible and straightforward,” Koster said.
Part of ruya’s Digital Banking Expansion
The bank said the launch forms part of its broader effort to grow its digital-first banking services. ruya described this strategy as being guided by its core values of prosperity, integrity, partnership and community.
The introduction of a cashback credit card also reflects the growing focus among digital banks in the UAE on practical consumer products that combine convenience, rewards and compliance. By tying cashback to routine spending and offering access through a mobile app, ruya is positioning the card as a straightforward option for customers seeking both benefits and Islamic finance compatibility.
Industry Analysis
The launch highlights continued innovation in the UAE’s Islamic banking and digital payments segments. Cashback credit cards remain a competitive tool for customer acquisition, but ruya’s emphasis on simplicity, app-based redemption and Shari’ah compliance may help differentiate its product in a crowded market. The absence of a minimum spend threshold could also make the card appealing to a broader base of customers who want immediate value from everyday transactions.
For the wider market, the move signals that digital Islamic banks are increasingly focusing on user-friendly financial products that mirror mainstream consumer offerings while maintaining ethical and religious standards. This could encourage further product development across the region as banks compete to combine technology, rewards and compliance in one proposition.
