Saturday, February 3, 2024

Importance Of Repaying Debts (A Compilation Of 20 Narrations)

 بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Summary: 

1.     Books of Hadeeth like Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan al-Nasaa’ee, Sunan Ibn Maajah, and Sunan al-Daarimee dedicated a special chapter heading: “Stern Warning Concerning Debt”

2.
     Anyone who died while he had a debt to repay, will be detained from entering Paradise.

3.
     The Prophet refused to offer funeral prayer for the one who died without repaying debt or not leaving behind anything with which to repay the debt. The only other time the Prophet and his Ummah have been prohibited to pray is for the Kuffaar. This is another clear indication of the importance of Huqooq al-`Ibaad (rights of the creation), and the severity of not repaying debts.

4.
     On the Day of Judgment, there will be no Deenar or Dirham to repay debt with. The matter will be decided through the exchanging of good deeds and bad deeds.

5.
     The Person, who is in debt, should pay off his debts before he can give money in charity.

6.
     The inheritance is not to be distributed to the heirs till the debt is paid off first. Just in two Ayaat, Allaah تعالى reminded four times about this in His Book.

Narration #1

It was narrated that Muhammad Ibn Jahsh رضي الله عنه said: We were sitting with the Messenger of Allaah when he raised his head toward the sky, and put his palm on his forehead, then he said: Sub-haan Allaah! What a stern warning has been revealed! We fell silent and were scared. The following day I asked him: “O Messenger of Allaah, what is this stern warning that has been revealed?” He said: By the One in Whose hand is my soul, if a man were to be killed in the cause of Allaah then brought back to life, then killed, but he owed a debt, he would not enter paradise until his debt was paid off.
[Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (4684) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

 

Narration #2

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه said: A man came to the Prophet while he was delivering a Khutbah from the Minbar, and he (the man) said: “If I fight in the cause of Allaah with patience and seeking reward, facing the enemy and not running away, do you think that Allaah will forgive my sins?” He said: Yes. Then he fell silent for a while. Then he said: Where is the one who was asking just now? The man said: “Here I am.” He said: What did you ask (earlier)? The man said: “If I fight in the cause of Allaah with patience and seeking reward, facing the enemy and not running away, do you think that Allaah will forgive my sins?” He said: Yes, except for debt. Jibreel told me that just now.
[Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (3155) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

 

Narration #3

Abu Qataadah رضي الله عنه said that the Messenger of Allaah stood up among them (his Companions) to deliver his sermon in which he told them that Jihaad in the way of Allaah and belief in Allaah (with all His Attributes) are the most meritorious of acts. A man stood up and said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Do you think that if I am killed in the way of Allaah, my sins will be blotted out from me?” The Messenger of Allaah said: Yes! If you are killed in the way of Allaah and you were patient and sincere, and facing the enemy and not turning your back (fleeing) in retreat. [Then he fell silent for a while.] Then he asked: What did you say (earlier)? The man asked (again): “Do you think if I am killed in the way of Allaah, all my sins will be obliterated from me?” The Messenger of Allaah said: Yes! If you are killed in the way of Allaah and you were patient and sincere, and facing the enemy and not turning your back (fleeing) in retreat (all your lapses would be forgiven) except for debt. Jibreel has told me this (just now).
[Saheeh Muslim (1885) and Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (3156, 3157, 3158)]

 

Narration #4

It has been reported on the authority of `Abdullaah Ibn `Amr Ibn al-`Aas رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allaah said: All the sins of a Shaheed (martyr) are forgiven except debt.
[Saheeh Muslim (1886]

 

Narration #5

`Abdullaah Ibn Abee Qataadah narrated from his father that a man was brought to the Prophet for him to offer the funeral prayer, and he said: Pray for your companion, for he owes a debt. Abu Qataadah رضي الله عنه said: “I will pay it.” The Prophet said: In full? He said: “In full.” So he prayed for him.
[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1069), Sunan al-Nasaa’ee (1960, 4692), Sunan Ibn Maajah (2407) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

 

Narration #6

Narrated Salamah Ibn Al-Akwa` رضي الله عنه: Once, while we were sitting in the company of Prophet , a deceased man was brought. The Prophet was requested to lead the funeral prayer for the deceased. He said: Is he in debt? The people replied in the negative. He said: Has he left any wealth? They said: “No.” So, he led his funeral prayer. Another dead man was brought and the people said: “O Allaah’s Messenger ! Lead his funeral prayer.” The Prophet said: Is he in debt? They said: “Yes.” He said: Has he left any wealth? They said, “Three Deenaars.” So, he led the prayer. Then a third dead man was brought and the people said (to the Prophet ): “Please lead his funeral prayer.” He said: Has he left any wealth? They said: “No.” He asked: Is he in debt? They said: “(Yes! He has to pay) three Deenaars.’ He (refused to pray and) said: Then pray for your (dead) companion. Abu Qataadah رضي الله عنه said: “O Allaah’s Messenger ! Lead his funeral prayer, and I will pay his debt.” So, he led the prayer.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2289, 2295)]

 

Narration #7

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Whenever a dead man in debt was brought to Allaah’s Messenger he would ask: “Has he left anything to repay his debt?” If he was informed that he had left something to repay his debts, he would offer his funeral prayer, otherwise he (would not offer the funeral prayer and) would tell the Muslims to offer their friend’s funeral prayer. When Allaah made the Prophet wealthy through conquests, he said: I am more rightful than other believers to be the guardian of the believers, so if a Muslim dies while in debt, I am responsible for the repayment of his debt, and whoever leaves wealth (after his death) it will belong to his heirs.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2298, 6731) and Saheeh Muslim]

[TN: When the Muslims were in poverty, and if a person died while he was in debt and didn’t leave behind anything with which to repay the debt, the Prophet would not offer the funeral prayer till someone, like Abu Qataadah رضي الله عنه and others would undertake to repay the debt on behalf of the deceased. But when the Muslims got rich and when there was funds in Bait al-Maal (Treasury), the Prophet himself undertook the responsibility of repaying the debts on behalf of the deceased.]

 

Narration #8

Jaabir رضي الله عنه narrated: A person had passed away, so we washed him, perfumed him, shrouded him, then we brought him to the Messenger of Allaah so that he offers the (funeral) prayer for him. We said: “Will you pray for him?” He drew a line and said: Is he in debt? We said: “He owes two Deenaars.” So he moved on (without praying). So, Abu Qataadah رضي الله عنه agreed to repay the debt.  So, we brought the corpse (to the Prophet ) and Abu Qataadah said: “I undertake to repay these two Deenaars.” The Messenger of Allaah said: (You vow to pay) the creditor, and the deceased is free from the debt of these (two Deenaars)?. He said: “Yes.” So, the Prophet offered the funeral prayer. After a day had passed, he said: What did you do with these two Deenaars? He said: “He has only died yesterday!” So, he returned to him the next day, and Abu Qataadah said: “I have repaid the debt.” The Messenger of Allaah said: Only now has his skin been made to cool down.
[Musnad Ahmad (14536) and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Irwa (1416)]

 

Narration #9

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allaah said: The soul of the believer is attached to his debt until it is paid off.
[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1078, 1079) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (2413) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

 

Narration #10

Narrated Thawbaan رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allaah said: Whoever’s soul departs from his body while he is free of three: Kibr (arrogance), Ghulul (stealing from spoils of war), and debt, then he will enter paradise.
[Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1572) and Sunan Ibn Maajah (2412) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. In Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1573), there is: “Kanz (buried treasure)” instead of Kibr, and this narration has been graded as “Shaadh” (irregular, i.e., when a Thiqah (reliable) narrator contradicts another narrator stronger than him) by Shaikh al-Albaanee. See al-Saheehah (2785)]

 

Narration #11

Samurah Ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه said: The Prophet led us in Fajr prayer, then he said: Is here any one of such and such tribe present? They said:  “Yes.” He said: Your companion has been detained at the gate of Paradise [In another narration: he has been detained from entering Paradise] because of his debt.
[Musnad Ahmad (20124, 20157, 20222), and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in al-Saheehah (3415)]

 

Narration #12

Narrated Samurah رضي الله عنه: The Messenger of Allaah addressed us and said: Is here any one of such and such tribe present? But no one replied. He again asked: Is here any one of such and such tribe present? But no one replied. He again asked: Is here any one of such and such tribe? Then a man stood and said: “I am (here), Messenger of Allaah.” He said: What prevented you from replying the first two times? I only want to say something good concerning you (your tribe). Your companion was detained (from entering Paradise) because of his debt. Then I saw him (again) and that someone paid all off his debt on his behalf and there remained no one to demand from him anything.
[Sunan Abu Dawood (3341), and graded as “Hasan” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. See Ahkaam al-Janaaiz (1/15) and al-Irwa (6/109). In one narration from Musnad Ahmad (20231) that the Prophet said: Then I saw his family and those who grieved for him repaid the debt on his behalf and there remained no one to demand anything from him.]

 

Narration #13

Sa`d Ibn al-Atwal رضي الله عنه narrated that his brother died, leaving behind three hundred Dirham and dependents. I wanted to spend (his money) on his dependents, but the Prophet said: Your brother is being detained by his debt, so pay it off for him. He said: “O Messenger of Allaah , I have paid it off apart from two Deenaar, which a woman is claiming but she has no proof.” He said: Give them to her for she is telling the truth.
[Sunan Ibn Maajah (2433) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. See ahkaam al-Janaaiz (1/15)]

 

Narration #14

It was narrated from `Abdullaah Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allaah said: Whoever dies owing a Deenaar or a Dirham (in debt), it will be paid back from his good deeds, because then there will be no Deenaar or Dirham (on that Day).
[Sunan Ibn Maajah (2414), Musnad Ahmad (5385, 5544) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee. See al-Irwa (2318), and al-Saheehah (437)]

 

Narration #15

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: Allaah’s Messenger said: Whoever has oppressed another person concerning his reputation or anything else, let him ask him now for his pardon, before (the Day of Resurrection) when there will be no money (to compensate for wrong deeds), but if he has good deeds, those good deeds will be taken from him according to his oppression which he has done, and if he has no good deeds, the sins of the oppressed person will be loaded on him.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2449, 6534)]

 

Narration #16

Imaam al-Bukhaaree رحمه الله said in his Saheeh: “Whoever gives in charity and he himself or his family are in need or in debt, the payment of debts has precedence over giving in charity or setting a slave free, or giving presents to others, for in such case his act of charity will not be accepted, and that person has no right to waste the people’s property. And the Prophet said: Allaah will destroy the person who takes other’s wealth with the intention of wasting it. But if one is known for his patience and prefers others to himself while he himself is in need, as Abu Bakr did when he gave all his property in charity, it is permissible. Similarly, the Ansaar gave preference to the emigrants over themselves. And the Prophet had forbidden the wasting of wealth, so, a person has no right to waste other’s wealth by spending it in charity.”
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2/112), Kitaab al-Zakaah (24), Chapter (18)]

In Surah al-Nisaa’, just in two Ayaat, Allaah تعالى reminds four times that the inheritance is to be distributed only after the debt has been settled: 

مِن بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصِي بِهَا أَوْ دَيْنٍ

{(The distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies he may have bequeathed or (repaying of) debts}

[Surah al-Nisaa’ (4); 11-12]

 

Narration #17

Narrated Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet said: Whoever takes the money from the people with the intention of repaying it, Allaah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to waste it, then Allaah will waste (destroy) him.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2387)]

 

Narration #18

Sa`eed Ibn Zaid Ibn `Amr Ibn Nufail رضي الله عنها reported that Allaah’s Messenger said: He who wrongly took a span of land, Allaah shall make him carry around his neck seven earths.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2452) and Saheeh Muslim (1610)]

 

Narration #19

Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه narrated that there was between him and his people some dispute over a piece of land, so he came to `Aa'ishah رضي الله عنها and mentioned that to her, whereupon she said: “O Abu Salamah, abstain from getting this land, for Allaah’s Messenger said: He who usurps even a span of land would be made to wear around his neck seven earths.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2453, 3195) and Saheeh Muslim (1612)]

 

Narration #20

Salim narrated from his father (i.e. `Abdullaah Ibn `Umar رضي الله عنهما): The Prophet said: Whoever takes a piece of the land of others unjustly, he will sink down the seven earths on the Day of Resurrection.
[Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (2454, 3196)] 


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