Is it haram to be in debt?

The short answer

No. Borrowing without interest is allowed; the Prophet ﷺ himself bought on credit. But debt is a serious responsibility: he regularly sought refuge in Allah from it, warned that it pushes people into lying and broken promises, and taught that unpaid debts remain even for a martyr. Borrow only when needed, intend to repay, and repay on time.

Evidence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Explanation

Debt in itself is not a sin. The Prophet ﷺ bought food on credit for a limited period and pledged his armour as security 1, and the Quran gives detailed instructions for recording debts for a fixed term 2. Lending and borrowing without interest are part of normal, lawful life.

At the same time, the texts treat debt as a heavy burden. In his prayer the Prophet ﷺ often sought refuge from sin and from debt. When asked why so often, he said that a person in debt "tells lies when he speaks, and breaks his promises when he promises" 3. He also sought refuge from "being heavily in debt" 4.

The stakes are high because debt is a right of another person. "All the sins of a martyr are forgiven except debt" 5. When a man who had died owing three dinars was brought for his funeral prayer, the Prophet ﷺ declined to lead it until a Companion took responsibility for paying it 6.

But there is great hope for the honest borrower: "Whoever takes the money of the people with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to spoil it, then Allah will spoil him" 7. Intention matters enormously.

Practical guidance:

  • Borrow only for genuine needs, not for lifestyle spending.
  • Never borrow with interest: that adds riba to the burden of debt.
  • Write the debt down, with the amount and due date 2.
  • Repay as soon as you can; delaying when you are able to pay "is injustice" 8.
  • Keep clear records and tell your family, so that if you die your debts can be settled quickly 6.

The evidence

  1. 1
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 2509
    Sahih Bukhari

    The Prophet ﷺ bought food on credit and pledged his armour, so borrowing is lawful.

    Narrated `Aisha:The Prophet (ﷺ) bought some foodstuff on credit for a limited period and mortgaged his armor for it

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَاحِدِ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، قَالَ تَذَاكَرْنَا عِنْدَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الرَّهْنَ، وَالْقَبِيلَ فِي السَّلَفِ، فَقَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ حَدَّثَنَا الأَسْوَدُ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اشْتَرَى مِنْ يَهُودِيٍّ طَعَامًا إِلَى أَجَلٍ وَرَهَنَهُ دِرْعَهُ‏.‏

  2. 2
    Quran Al-Baqara · 2:282

    Debts for a fixed term are permitted and should be written down.

    يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيۡنٍ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلࣲ مُّسَمࣰّ ى فَٱكۡتُبُوهُۚ وَلۡيَكۡتُب بَّيۡنَكُمۡ كَاتِبُۢ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِۚ وَلَا يَأۡبَ كَاتِبٌ أَن يَكۡتُبَ كَمَا عَلَّمَهُ ٱللَّهُۚ فَلۡيَكۡتُبۡ وَلۡيُمۡلِلِ ٱلَّذِي عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ وَلۡيَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ رَبَّهُۥ وَلَا يَبۡخَسۡ مِنۡهُ شَيۡـࣰٔ اۚ فَإِن كَانَ ٱلَّذِي عَلَيۡهِ ٱلۡحَقُّ سَفِيهًا أَوۡ ضَعِيفًا أَوۡ لَا يَسۡتَطِيعُ أَن يُمِلَّ هُوَ فَلۡيُمۡلِلۡ وَلِيُّهُۥ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِۚ وَٱسۡتَشۡهِدُواْ شَهِيدَيۡنِ مِن رِّجَالِكُمۡۖ فَإِن لَّمۡ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيۡنِ فَرَجُلࣱ وَٱمۡرَأَتَانِ مِمَّن تَرۡضَوۡنَ مِنَ ٱلشُّهَدَآءِ أَن تَضِلَّ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحۡدَىٰهُمَا ٱلۡأُخۡرَىٰۚ وَلَا يَأۡبَ ٱلشُّهَدَآءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُواْۚ وَلَا تَسۡـَٔمُوٓاْ أَن تَكۡتُبُوهُ صَغِيرًا أَوۡ كَبِيرًا إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلِهِۦۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ أَقۡسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقۡوَمُ لِلشَّهَٰدَةِ وَأَدۡنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَرۡتَابُوٓاْ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَ تِجَٰرَةً حَاضِرَةࣰ تُدِيرُونَهَا بَيۡنَكُمۡ فَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا تَكۡتُبُوهَاۗ وَأَشۡهِدُوٓاْ إِذَا تَبَايَعۡتُمۡۚ وَلَا يُضَآرَّ كَاتِبࣱ وَلَا شَهِيدࣱۚ وَإِن تَفۡعَلُواْ فَإِنَّهُۥ فُسُوقُۢ بِكُمۡۗ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَۖ وَيُعَلِّمُكُمُ ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيۡءٍ عَلِيمࣱ‏ ۝٢٨٢

    O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice. Let no scribe refuse to write as Allah has taught him. So let him write and let the one who has the obligation dictate. And let him fear Allah, his Lord, and not leave anything out of it. But if the one who has the obligation is of limited understanding or weak or unable to dictate himself, then let his guardian dictate in justice. And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it. And take witnesses when you conclude a contract. Let no scribe be harmed or any witness. For if you do so, indeed, it is [grave] disobedience in you. And fear Allah. And Allah teaches you. And Allah is Knowing of all things

  3. 3
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 2397
    Sahih Bukhari

    The Prophet ﷺ often sought refuge from debt, because the debtor lies and breaks promises.

    Narrated `Aisha:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to invoke Allah in the prayer saying, "O Allah, I seek refuge with you from all sins, and from being in debt." Someone said, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! (I see) very often you seek refuge with Allah from being in debt. He replied, "If a person is in debt, he tells lies when he speaks, and breaks his promises when he promises

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَخِي، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي عَتِيقٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَدْعُو فِي الصَّلاَةِ وَيَقُولُ ‏"‏ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ ‏"‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ لَهُ قَائِلٌ مَا أَكْثَرَ مَا تَسْتَعِيذُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مِنَ الْمَغْرَمِ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا غَرِمَ حَدَّثَ فَكَذَبَ وَوَعَدَ فَأَخْلَفَ ‏"‏‏.‏

  4. 4
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 6369
    Sahih Bukhari

    He sought refuge from worry, grief and being heavily in debt.

    Narrated Anas bin Malik:The Prophet (ﷺ) used to say, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being heavily in debt and from being overpowered by (other) men." (See Hadith No)

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ أَبِي عَمْرٍو، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ ‏"‏‏.‏

  5. 5
    Hadith Sahih Muslim 1886
    Sahih Muslim

    All the sins of a martyr are forgiven except debt.

    It has been reported on the authority of 'Amr b. al-'As that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:All the sins of a Shahid (martyr) are forgiven except debt

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا زَكَرِيَّاءُ بْنُ يَحْيَى بْنِ صَالِحٍ الْمِصْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُفَضَّلُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ فَضَالَةَ - عَنْ عَيَّاشٍ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ الْقِتْبَانِيُّ - عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُبُلِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ يُغْفَرُ لِلشَّهِيدِ كُلُّ ذَنْبٍ إِلاَّ الدَّيْنَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

  6. 6
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 2289
    Sahih Bukhari

    The Prophet ﷺ would not lead the funeral prayer of a debtor until someone guaranteed the debt.

    Narrated Salama bin Al-Akwa: Once, while we were sitting in the company of Prophet, a dead man was brought. The Prophet (ﷺ) 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 Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Lead his funeral prayer." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Is he in debt?" They said, "Yes." He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, ''Three Dinars." So, he led the prayer. Then a third dead man was brought and the people said (to the Prophet (ﷺ) ), 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 Dinars.', He (refused to pray and) said, "Then pray for your (dead) companion." Abu Qatada said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Lead his funeral prayer, and I will pay his debt." So, he led the prayer

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا الْمَكِّيُّ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي عُبَيْدٍ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ الأَكْوَعِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ 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 اللَّهِ، 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 تَرَكَ شَيْئًا ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا لاَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَهَلْ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالُوا ثَلاَثَةُ دَنَانِيرَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ صَلُّوا عَلَى صَاحِبِكُمْ ‏"‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ صَلِّ عَلَيْهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَعَلَىَّ دَيْنُهُ‏.‏ فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ‏.‏

  7. 7
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 2387
    Sahih Bukhari

    Whoever borrows intending to repay, Allah will repay on his behalf.

    Narrated Abu Huraira:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever takes the money of the people with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to spoil it, then Allah will spoil him

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ بِلاَلٍ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْغَيْثِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنْ أَخَذَ أَمْوَالَ النَّاسِ يُرِيدُ أَدَاءَهَا أَدَّى اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، وَمَنْ أَخَذَ يُرِيدُ إِتْلاَفَهَا أَتْلَفَهُ اللَّهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

  8. 8
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 2400
    Sahih Bukhari

    Delay in repaying by someone who can pay is injustice.

    Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Procrastination (delay) in repaying debts by a wealthy person is injustice

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، أَخِي وَهْبِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَطْلُ الْغَنِيِّ ظُلْمٌ ‏"‏‏.‏

This answer was compiled with the help of AI, using only the verified texts shown here. Every reference links to its source. If you find a mistake, please report it. Updated 2026-09-24

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