By
Imam Tajudeen Ibn Ibrahim
All praise is eternally due to none, but Allah Alone. Peace and salutations be upon the Noblest of mankind, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, his household, companions and all those who follow their path till the last day.
I enjoin you all and myself to be conscious of Allah, The Most High. Verily, the fear of Allah is the pathway to salvation.
O Servants of Allah, wealth is among the basic necessities of life. People's livelihoods and needs are largely dependent on it.
Allah says in Surah Al-Maidah verse 5, "And give not unto the foolish your property which Allah has made a means of support for you. ”
A person may need money to meet his immediate needs, or those of his family, to establish a business or engage in agriculture. He finds no means for all these, and he is left with no option than to resort to taking loans.
While Islam has permitted borrowing, it has equally set conditions and etiquettes for it, to protect the creditor and debtor from any form of danger both in and religious and mundane matters.
Islam does not treat debt with levity. The lengthiest verse in the Holy Qur'an, Surah Al-Baqarah verse 282, talks about debt and it's etiquettes.
O Servants of Allah, many people have however taken the matter of debt lightly. While some keep borrowing unnecessarily, some deliberately delay payment, others borrow more than they can afford to repay.
In the past, people would borrow money for necessities or urgent needs, such as to feed their families, repair their houses, engage in agricultural activities or other lawful trades e.t.c.
Today, most debts are for spending on frivolities such as luxurious furniture, expensive cars, tourist trips, lavish parties, gambling and so on, especially with the temptation of the financiers and simplification of loan procedures.
Islam has given great importance to debt and warned against being adamant in settling it, because of the great harm that results from that for the creditor and the debtor, in this world and the hereafter.
How many rich people became impoverished because of unnecessary loans?
How many people have been exposed to suspension of essential services or even imprisonment due to the accumulation of their debts, when they would have been free, if they had been content with what they have. The dangers might even extend to their offsprings, and to generations yet unborn in the case of states.
In the early days of Islam, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would not pray over someone who had a debt that he could not pay, as stated in the hadith of Salamah Ibn Al-Akwa’ (may Allah be pleased with him): “A funeral procession was brought to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for him to pray over. He said: ‘Is there any debt on him?’ They said: ‘No.’ So he prayed over him. Then, another funeral procession was brought to him and he said: ‘Is there any debt on him?’ They said: ‘Yes.’ He said: ‘Pray over your companion.’ Abu Qatada said: ‘I take full responsibility of his debt, O Messenger of Allah.’ So he prayed over him.” Bukhari.
O Servants of Allah, among the dangers of handling debt with levity, is that the debtor may be prevented from entering Paradise until it is paid off.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The soul of the believer is attached to his debt until it is paid off.” Tirmdhi.
The severity of the matter of debt has reached such an extent that, all the sins of a martyr are forgiven except debt.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would constantly seek refuge in Allah against debt, as reported by Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, by saying “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and debt.” Someone said to him: “How often you seek refuge from debt!” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied: “When a man is in debt, he speaks and lies, he makes a promise and breaks it.” Bukhari and Muslim
Fear Allah, O servants of Allah, and beware of the dangers of debt.
Avoid unnecessary borrowing as individuals, corporate and government entities.
If you find no other means, then let it be on the basis of necessity, and as much as you are able to repay. Obtain loans through lawful and permissible means, with the intention of paying back within the specified time. Whoever has these characteristics will get Allah's help in paying back his debt. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever accepts other people's wealth intending to pay it back, Allah will pay it back for him. And whoever accepts it intending to waste it, Allah, the Most High, will destroy him." Bukhari
May Allah settle our debts and enrich us from His grace..Ameen
IMAM TAJUDEEN IBN IBRAHIM
(Grand Chief Imam of Akoko-Edo) Writes from the office of the Grand Chief Imam, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
