Do not Make Debt as Your Habit

Do not Make Debt as Your Habit!

Do not Make Debt as Your Habit!

Islam is a noble religion, and it has regulated all aspects of the society life, including the matter of debt and credit.

Not only Islam allows a person to owe to others, but it also regulates the etiquettes and rules in debt.

The basic rule of debt is permissible (jaa-iz). Allah the Glorified and Exalted mentioned some of the etiquettes in debt inside the Qur’an. Allah the Glorified and Exalted decreed:

{ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنْتُمْ بِدَيْنٍ إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ }

“Believers! Whenever you contract a debt from one another for a known term,  commit it to writing.” (QS Al-Baqarah/The Cow: 282)

The Messenger of Allah – peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- ever owed to others. Near the end of his life, he still owed something to a jew, and his debt was paid using the armor that he mortgaged to the person.

It was narrated from ‘Aisha -may Allah be pleased with her- that she said:

( أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- اشْتَرَى طَعَامًا مِنْ يَهُودِيٍّ إِلَى أَجَلٍ فَرَهَنَهُ دِرْعَهُ )

“The Prophet – peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- bought some foodstuffs from a jew with no cash, then he mortgaged his armor.” (Narrated by Al Bukhari no. 2200)

But unfortunately, there are a lot of muslims who underestimated this matter. They feel comfortable with the debts that slowly chokes them. Some of them in their life even do not want to be free from it just for a second. Before their first loan was settled, they already wanted to borrow for the second, third time, and so on.

If this is allowed, then it will be a protracted condition and will be “transmitted” to others in the vicinity. Moreover with the more crediting facilities that are provided by institutions  or companies which adapted the usury system. And what worse is that the involved parties are not merely the common people, but also those who have studied the religion for a long time, the knowledgeable people, and the rich ones participated in it. We seek protection of Allah from this disaster.

The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- was really afraid of debt, and he was really afraid that it would become his habit. Why?

It was narrated from ‘Aisha -may Allah be pleased with her- that she said, “In the past, the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- often recited in his prayer,

( اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَفِتْنَةِ الْمَمَاتِ, اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ )

“”O Allah! Verily, I seek your protection from the punishment in the grave, from the trial of Al Masih Ad Dajjal, and from the trial of life and death. O Allah! Verily, I seek your protection from the things that cause sin and from debt.”

Then someone told him,

( مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا تَسْتَعِيذُ مِنَ الْمَغْرَمِ؟ )

“(Why do) you very often seek protection from debt?”

He answered,

( إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا غَرِمَ, حَدَّثَ فَكَذَبَ وَوَعَدَ فَأَخْلَفَ. )

“Indeed, a person who accustomed to debt, if he talked, he would lie, and if he promised, he would break it.” (Narrated by Al Bukhari, no. 832 and Muslim no. 1325/589)

But we need to comprehend that debt is not a sin as it was mentioned before. But a for person who is accustomed to it, the debt could lead him to do unlawful things in shari’a. In the hadith above, there are two sins that are caused by the habit of owing to people, which are: lying and breaking promises. Aren’t those regarded as major sin?

We might also find some people who are often indebted and are ridden by it. What is their habit? Aren’t they often lie, deceive people, and break their promise? O Allah, verily, we seek your protection from such thing.

Well, maybe some of you, dear readers, will say, “Wasn’t the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- himself sometimes in debt?”.

True, that the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- was sometimes in debt because at that time, he was really in the need of it. Look closely upon the hadith above. Wasn’t the form of the Messenger of Allah’s debt -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- foodstuff? If someone is really in the need of it, then it is not a disgraceful thing.

But we must remember that the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- had had done a noble thing in his debt. What is that? He mortgaged his armor as collateral for his debt.

If he were unable to pay it, then the armor would be his payment.

That is the example of what we should do when in debt. We should have a collateral. The collaterals could take form as:

Property

For example, a person intended to buy a motorcycle, and he has a saving of IDR 15 millions. He didn’t dare to issue the money because it was the saving of his business that must be left in it, as backup of capital or other things. Then the person bought a motorcycle with the price of IDR 15 millions by credit from a certain person with a certain period of time.

Such practice is alright, because supposed that he died, then he still have collateral of money that was in his saving account.

Mortgage

It is as explained by the example of the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him-.

Diversion of debt to the credit the person owned (Al Hawaalah/Al Hiwaalah)

For example, if Mr. A has a credit (means that other people, Mr. B, indebted to him) of IDR 5 millions, then he wanted to borrow IDR 5 millions from Mr. C. Then Mr. A told C, ” What do you think, if my credit to B becomes the collateral of this debt.” And Mr. C agreed with him. Then it is also alright and such diversion is allowed in Islam. Supposed that A died, then his debt would be the responsibility of B to pay to C.

Seeking for a person to take charge of the debt (Al Kafaalah)

For example, a person was in the need of great amount of money in sudden, for example to pay the fee of surgery due to an accident happened to him or his family. The person didn’t have any money or other property to be a collateral. The hospital asked him to find a person in charge for his debt. Supposed that the person ran away or died, the that person in charge would be the one to pay his debt to the hospital. This practice is allowed with the stipulation that the person in charge is able to pay the debt, or able to bring the debtor back if he run away.

If a person doesn’t have any of the collaterals above, then it is better for him not to get used to debt. Because if someone died whereas he still have some debt, then he will be afflicted with numbers of evils. I’ll mention to you about three of them in this article.

– Firstly: The religious figures and society will not pray for his body

The Prophet -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- didn’t perform the janaza prayer for the dead who still indebted.

( عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ -رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ- قَالَ: كُنَّا جُلُوسًا عِنْدَ النَّبِيِّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- إِذْ أُتِيَ بِجَنَازَةٍ، فَقَالُوا: صَلِّ عَلَيْهَا ، فَقَالَ : (( هَلْ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ ؟ )), قَالُوا: لاَ، قَالَ: (( فَهَلْ تَرَكَ شَيْئًا ؟ )), قَالُوا: لاَ، فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِجَنَازَةٍ أُخْرَى، فَقَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، صَلِّ عَلَيْهَا، قَالَ: (( هَلْ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ ؟ )) قِيلَ : نَعَمْ ، قَالَ: (( فَهَلْ تَرَكَ شَيْئًا؟ )) قَالُوا : ثَلاَثَةَ دَنَانِيرَ، فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهَا، ثُمَّ أُتِيَ بِالثَّالِثَةِ، فَقَالُوا: صَلِّ عَلَيْهَا، قَالَ: (( هَلْ تَرَك شَيْئًا؟ )) قَالُوا : لاَ، قَالَ: (( فَهَلْ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ ؟ )) قَالُوا: ثَلاَثَةُ دَنَانِيرَ ، قَالَ: (( صَلُّوا عَلَى صَاحِبِكُمْ ))، قَالَ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ: صَلِّ عَلَيْهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، وَعَلَيَّ دَيْنُهُ، فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ.)

It was narrated from Salama Ibn Al Akwa’ -may Allah be pleased with him- he said, “In the past, we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- then a corpse was brought to him. People who brought it said, “Please pray for him!”. He asked, “Did he still have any debt?” They replied, “No.” Then he asked, “Did he left any inheritance behind?”. They answered, “No.” Then he prayed for it. Then another corpse was brought to him. People who brought him said, “Please pray for him!”. He asked them, “Did he still have any debt?” They replied, “Yes.” Then he asked, “Did he left any inheritance behind?”. They answered, “Three dinars.” Then he prayed for it. Then the third corpse was brought to him. People who brought it said, “Please pray for him!”. He asked, “Did he left any inheritance behind?”. They replied, ‘No.” He asked, “Does he have any debt?”. They answered, “Three dinars.” He said, “Pray for your friend!”. Then Abu Qatada said, “Please pray for him, O Messenger of Allah! I’ll be the one responsible for his debt.” Then he prayed for him.” (Narrated by Al Bukhari, no. 2289).

This hadith evidently showed to us that the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- restrained from praying for the debtor. It was a form of his teaching, that getting used to debt while not having any collateral is a bad thing. Therefore, the prominent people, and public and religious figures do likewise when a person died while he still have debt.

– Secondly: His sins will not be forgiven until the problem between him and the one he owed being settled.

It was narrated from Abu Qatada -may Allah be pleased with him-, from the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him-, that a person asked the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him-:

( أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ قُتِلْتُ فِى سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَتُكَفَّرُ عَنِّى خَطَايَاىَ ؟)

“What do you think, if I were killed in Allah’s Cause, would my sins be forgiven?”

He replied:

( نَعَمْ وَأَنْتَ صَابِرٌ مُحْتَسِبٌ مُقْبِلٌ غَيْرُ مُدْبِرٍ إِلاَّ الدَّيْنَ فَإِنَّ جِبْرِيلَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ قَالَ لِى ذَلِكَ )

“Yes, with the stipulation that you be patient, wish for His rewards, join the battle, and not flee from it, except by debt. Verily, angel Gabriel -peace be upon him- just told me these.” (Narrated by Muslim no. 4880/1885)

This hadith explained to us that any kind of worship, even the most excellent one, which is the right of Allah, couldn’t nullify the obligation to fulfill the right of others.

– Thirdly: He will be prevented from entering Paradise, although he has plenty of righteous deeds, until the problem between him and the one he owed from being settled.

It was narrated from Tsauban, that the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said:

( مَنْ مَاتَ وَهُوَ بَرِىءٌ مِنْ ثَلاَثٍ: الْكِبْرِ, وَالْغُلُولِ, وَالدَّيْنِ دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ )

“Whoever dies while he is innocent of three things: vanity, ghuluul (steal the spoils of war before distribution) and debt, will enter the Paradise.” (Narrated by At Tirmidhi no. 1572, Ibn Maja no. 2412 and others. Sheikh Al Albani commented, ‘Valid’, in his book, “Shahih Sunan Ibn Maja”)

Therefore, before ending this article, there are several points that I’d like to write, as an advice for myself and all of the readers:

Don’t let yourself be accustomed to debt. Particularly a debt without any collateral.

There are plenty facilities that facilitate people to practice usury these days. Therefore, don’t let ourselves to be involved in it! It was narrated from ‘Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud -may Allah be pleased with him-, that the Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said:

( لَعَنَ اللَّهُ آكِلَ الرِّبَا ، وَمُوكِلَهُ ، وَشَاهِدَهُ ، وَكَاتِبَهُ.)

“Allah cursed the consumer of usury, the one who feed people from it, the witness, and the scriber.” (Narrated by Ahmad no. 3725. Sheikh Shuhaib commented, ““Shahih li ghairih.”(Valid with the support of its other narrations)).

If a person wants to owe some money from others, that he should sincerely intend to pay it back immediately at its due time. Insha Allah, Allah will help him to settle it.

The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said, :

( مَنْ أَخَذَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ يُرِيدُ أَدَاءَهَا أَدَّى اللَّهُ عَنْهُ ، وَمَنْ أَخَذَ يُرِيدُ إِتْلاَفَهَا أَتْلَفَهُ اللَّهُ.)

“”Whoever borrows people’s wealth and he wishes to pay it back, then Allah will pay it for him. Whoever borrows it and he wish not to pay it, then Allah will remove it from him.” (Narrated by Al Bukhari, no. 2387).

If the due time has came, then the debtor should pay the debt immediately and shouldn’t postpone it except at that time he didn’t have anything to pay for it. People who have money to pay for his debt but he deliberately postponed its payment, then his act will be considered as a sin.

The Messenger of Allah -peace and prayer of Allah be upon him- said:

( مَطْلُ الْغَنِيِّ ظُلْمٌ )

“Postponing the payment of debt for the one who is able to pay it is an oppression.” (Narrated by Al Bukhari no. 2288 and Muslim no. 4002/1564).

If he was truly unable to pay his debt at its due time, then should ask for forgiveness of the one he owed from as soon as possible and ask for postponement of the payment of his debt.

This is the end of this brief article, may it benefit us all, and please spread it to others.

( اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّا نَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ )

O Allah, we seek your protection from sins and evil doings.

Author: Ustadz Said Yai Ardiansyah, Lc., M.A. (Alumnae of Islamic University of Medina majoring in Hadits. (S-2) Alumnae of Mediu Malaysia, majoring in Fiqhussunnah. Headmaster of SDIT Al-Istiqomah Prabumulih)

www.whatisquran.com

One comment

  1. Abba Muhammad Sulaiman says:

    MASHA ALLAH, JAZAKUMULLAHU BIL JANNAH. MAY ALLAH REWARD US ALL.

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