The burden of debt can crush our happiness and ruin relationships
By Wael Abdelgawad for IslamicSunrays.com
Being in debt is a killer. It consumes us with stress, and eats away at our happiness and sense of security. It destroys marriages, and if the debt is between family or friends then it can ruin those relationships. In some countries, inability to pay your debt can even you put in prison.
I feel obligated to mention that part of the reason so many people are carrying so much debt is our addiction to the material lifestyle. We are bombarded with messages and advertisements telling us we need to buy this and own that. It gets to the point where we measure our status in life (and that of others) by what we own, or worse, by how much we spend. If we spend a huge sum of money on a lavish wedding, then we are “honored” in society. If not, we feel shamed. Since our incomes do not match our desires, we go into debt.
This thinking and lifestyle is completely contrary to what Islam teaches us, and to the example set by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them all). Even when they became rulers of the world, they continued to live simple and humble lifestyles, because they understood what really matters in life.
So the first step for us is to readjust our priorities, and to realize that what matters is our relationship with Allah. Beyond that, the important things in life are our family relationships – loving our spouses and children and spending time with them, worshiping with them, supporting them. Then our friendships, and doing some good in the world, creating something meaningful, and being an agent of compassion in the lives of those around you.
Dua Against Debt
If you have done whatever you can to avoid debt, and still you find yourself burdened with debts, try this dua from Fortress of the Muslim. Repeat it many times every day:
Dua for relief from debt, in Arabic
Allaahummak-finee bihalaalika ‘an haraamika wa ‘aghninee bifadhlika ‘amman siwaaka.
“O Allah, suffice me with what You have allowed instead of what You have forbidden , and make me independent of all others besides You.”
(Reference: At-Tirmithi 5/560. See also Al-Albani, Sahih At-Tirmithi 3/180.)
This dua against debt is really brilliant, because the dua contains within itself the solution to the problem. “Suffice me with what you have allowed.” In other words, let the halal be enough for me. Don’t let me get myself into debt because of haram mortgage loans or excessive material desire, or out-of-control consumer spending. Let me be satisfied with a simple, halal life, so that I don’t get into debt.
If you repeat this often enough it becomes a part of your thinking and awareness, and you modify your own behavior, which leads to: “make me independent of all others besides You.” You become your own man or woman, not owing money to anyone, independent, relying only on Allah.
I’m not saying the dua is just an affirmation, I’m saying it works on both levels, as an affirmation and as a prayer to Allah to help you achieve that affirmation. It’s a subtle and amazing dua.
Three Excellent Dua’s Against Debt:
(note that #2 is the same as the one above)
1) “Oh Allah, I take refuge in You…”
Narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (ra):
One day the Messenger of Allah (saw) entered the mosque. He saw there a man from the Ansar (a resident of Madinah) called Abu Umamah and said to him: “What is the matter that I am seeing you sitting in the mosque when there is no time of prayer?” Abu Umamah said: “I am entangled in sorrow and debts.” The Prophet Muhammad (ra ) replied: “Shall I not teach you words by which, when you say them, Allah will remove your sorrow, and settle your debts?” Abu Umamah said: “Yes, Messenger of Allah.” The Prophet Muhammad (ra ) said: “Say in the morning and evening: Allahumma inni ‘auzu bika min alhamma wal ‘huzn, wal ‘ajzi wal kasali wal bukhli wal jubn, wa dhala’iddini wa ‘galabatir rajaal.” (See here for the arabic text).
‘O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.’
Abu Umamah said: “When I did that Allah removed my distress and settled my debt.” [Abu Dawood]
2) “O Allah, grant me enough…”
Ali radi Allahu `anhu said that a slave, who had made a contract with his master to pay for his freedom, came to him and said, “I am unable to fulfil my contract, so help me.” He said, “Shall I not teach you some words which Allah’s Messenger (ra) taught me, and which even if you had a debt as large as a mountain Allah would pay it for you?”:
Allahumma akfini bihala lika an haramika wa aghnini bi fadhlika am-man siwak.
“O Allah, grant me enough of what You make lawful that I may dispense of with what You make unlawful, and make me independent, by Your bounty, of other than You.” [At-Tirmidhi]
3) “O Allah, Sovereign of all…”
The Prophet (saw) said to Muadh radi Allahu `anhu, “Should I not teach you a supplication which, when used to implore Allah, Allah shall pay your debt, even it be as huge as Mount Uhud? He then mentioned:
Allahumma Maalik al-mulki tu’til-mulka man tasha’ u wa tanzi’ul mulka mimman tasha’, wa tu’izzu man tasha’ u wa tudhilu man tasha’, bi yadika al-khayr, innaka ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer, Rahmaan-id-dunya wa’l-aakhirah wa raheemahuma, tu’teeyahuma man tasha’ wa tamna’ minhuma man tasha’, irhamni rahmatan taghnini biha ‘an rahmati man siwaak.
“O Allah, Sovereign of all, You give dominion to whomsoever You will and You take dominion away from whomsoever You will, You exalt whomsoever You will and You bring low whomsoever You will. In Your hand is all goodness and You are able to do all things. Most Merciful and Most compassionate in this world and in the Hereafter, You give them to whomsoever You will and withhold them from whomsoever You will. Bestow mercy upon Me in such a manner that I have no need of the mercy of anyone but You.” [Tabarani]
Wael Abdelgawad is an Egyptian-American living in Fresno, California. He is the founder of several Islamic websites, including Zawaj.com and IslamicAnswers.com, and also of various technology and travel websites. He is a writer and poet, and has been a web developer since 1997.
This project, IslamicSunrays.com, is very dear to his heart, as it has allowed him to express ideas that have growing inside him for many years.
Wael is divorced and has one lovely young daughter. He practices and teaches martial arts (somewhat obsessively), and loves Islamic books, science fiction, and vanilla fudge ice cream. Wael is an advocate for human rights and blogs about these issues at AbolishTorture.com. He is also a volunteer with the MyDeen Muslim youth organization in Fresno.
i am in huge debts..
plz pray for me.
I will do so Insha’Allah.
As salamu alaykum,
I´m here too, insha´Allah.
hi brothers and sisters,
please pray for me and my family as we are facing a critical financial problem
jazakallah
Oh Allah! release My Brother from debt..Brother Ashraf, May You be FREE of debt by the time this prayer reaches You..Aameen!
I will pray for all muslims i debts! We all must take refuge in Allah (S.W.A.).
Ah Wael, I remember these stories and hadiths, I used them recently in one of my replies. Alhumdulillah!
Maash’Allah its a good topic to discuss with the current state of the world’s financial state.
May Allah protect us from any form of debt and sorrow, aameen.
SisterZ
I know, I used your reply as source material
Maybe I should mention you as a co-author.
Lol Wael,
And I took most of the material from the sayings of our beloved Rasool (saw) whom you have already mentioned as the source, so everything is in it’s right place, Alhumdulillah :O).
(Google, copy and paste, now thats a blessing from Allah, lol)
May you keep writing my dear friend, you’re an inspiration to many all over the world maash’Allah.
SisterZ
Wow.. it’s great to see you touch on this topic! The issue of debt is hugeee in Islam..HUGE, the Prophet saw was said to have not do Janazah for those that were in debt…not sure if that later changed, Allahu Alim (need to check that). Point being..it’s that bad!! ..
Must, must read the book Nacrissim Epidemic… it touches this soo well.The materlistic mind frame we live in. I firmly believe that when you can understand a cause of evil/wrong/sin then it is more like you are able to correct. Wagging ones finger can only do so much, but understanding is life altering. May Allah swt guide us to His Pleasure and protect us from the evils of ourselves..Ameen
PLS, PRAY FOR ME FOR THE SAKE OF ALLA, I AM IN SERIOUS DEBT NOW WITH SOMEBODY, TO THE LEVEL THAT I BROUGHT SOLDIER TO MY HOUSE TO TREATING ME, FOR I HAVE STARTED PAYING HIM THE MONEY MONTHLY, FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH I DONT HAVE MONEY TO PAY HIM BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES BEYONG MY CONTROL, PLS PRAY FOR ME TO HAVE GOD MERCY ON ME TO IGNORE THIS MONTH PAYMENT FOR HEM, PLS I NEED YOUR PRAYER NOW.
As salamu alaykum brother Abdul,
May Allah(swt) relieve this difficult time for you. Ameen.
Allah(SWT) is ?????? Al-Wahh?b The Bestower, ?????? Ar-Razz?q The Provider, ????? Al-?af?? The Preserver, ?????? Al-Muq?t The Nourisher, ?????? Al-Kar?m The Bountiful, The Generous , every Name of Allah(SWT) has a message for us, he has given everything to us to be closer to Him, have Allah(swt) in your thought, your mouth, your words, your acts, ask Him for relief, the circumstances beyond your control belongs to Him, Alhamdulillah for every step you take towards Him.
I pray for you, Alhamdulillah.
Sorry, those signs are because I copy the names in arabic, it seems that the program doesn´t recognize the language.
María
please pray for me and my family as we are facing lot of problem because of debts……………….
Sarah, I will make dua’ for you, Insha’Allah.
Wael
inshaallah sarah we will prayer for ur family and u dont worry allaha will solved all the problems……….,
dnt worry inshaallah allaha solved ur problems
I am in a burden of a lot of debts last but not least i am in alot of finacial crisis. please do some dua for me zajahkalah khair.
I will, insha´Allah.
María
dear brothers and sisters
please pray for me and my family…………… today a big offer is comming for my house, if the deal goes through we would be relieved of the big debt. please everyone need your prayers,
I will indeed.. Insha’ Allah
I have bought 2 houses and have no debts. I am doing good financially by the Grace of God (pbuh). I am married for past 5 years with no kids. As per my wife; she doesnt feel financially secure as none of the houses are on her name. So last year she asked me for security money of approx. 75000 € into her bank account before we start planning for baby. I have approx. 15000€ with me now but thats not enough for her. Is this all right and what should I be doing?
Should I borrow money against one of the property to give her this money? Please help; we really need help….
- Amin
As salamu alaykum, Brother Amin,
Brother, I wouldn´t do it, I would only put myself on debt if anyone of my family needs the money to save their life, I mean for health issues, or if they financial security is threaten in any way. Have you tried to know what is behind her request? Why does she have this insecurity?
Can you make her understand how blessed you are already?
Why does she want you to owe money to have her security? Isn´t this a nonsense? Aren´t you married? Aren´t you working for all of you?
Please forgive me for not being of help. I hope you solve your problem, insha´Allah.
María
Thanks sister for your advice.
Unfortunately, the relationship is not really sound between me and my wife. I think she has her doubts about me in case I leave her, or in case of any mishap to me. She has no faith in my parents so she thinks they wouldnt give her the share after my death; to be honest. (I am 33 and she is 32). She thinks that my parents pollute my mind against her and hence she doesnt trust them.
No she doesnt really want me to sell off any of the assets but doesnt want to think about baby unless she has got the security in terms of 75K €. Having baby is supposed to be such a wonderful thing; but unfortunately not in my case. If I sell any of my house; I will be able to gather that money for her. Or may be borrow some of it from a friend / family.
I am speechless when someone asks me about the babies after 5 years of marriage. Also we both are not really happy in this relationship but we both are trying and trying really hard to get it working. I am tensed..
Brother Amin,
I am going to tell you my personal opinion about your situation looking at it from outside, please take it with a pinch of salt.
I agree with Wael, but I would like you to think about something really important, does your wife want to be mother?, because I don´t know why I have the feeling you both have different direction and the money is just an excuse to avoid becoming pregnant as long as she can. Certainly asking you for this is burning the candle for both sides, putting you under so much stress will really make you react and maybe in not a good way. Avoid this, you sound as a very balance, caring human being, don´t let her fears ruin your balance.
There is a way you will get to know what to do, insha´Allah, pray your salat and turn to Allah(swt) with all your Heart, be calm and quiet and go to your wife and talk to her in the most loving way possible, ask her about her intentions, don´t mention anyone apart from her, you or Allah(swt), try to know her real intentions related to you, having children and being a mother, about staying with you, or seperating, about if she loves you or she doesn´t, about her priorities, I would really would like you to get to know her Heart from the inside, without judging her.
She knows how much you want to have a baby, she knows you are a loyal man dedicated to her and that you will do beyond reason to have a baby. This ideas she has, makes you vulnerable when she puts conditions to have a baby. Ask her what happens if you don´t pressure her to have a baby, what would she think about it?. I do really want you to stay calm while you talk to her, she has to trust you to show her Heart, and again this will be healthy for both of you, and remember she will put herself in a vulnerable position, but you are already in a vulnerable position, because she knows your dreams and she is putting price to them. Then ask Allah(swt) to fill your Heart with Unconditional Love, compassion and mercy towards her whatever you listen from her. Time to put on the table all the important issues, insha´Allah.
I want you to make me a favour, when you talk to her, listen, let her talk, don´t finish her words, let her begin and finish, don´t be in a hurry, give her the time she needs to open and reassure her with your attitude you are not going to be judgamental about her opinions, accept her the way she is, even when I know maybe can hurt, just listen, when she has said all that she has to say, stay calm and give yourself a time to think about it, she may need a couple of days, but she will end talking, insha´Allah, don´t take any decision with heat in your head or in your heart(remember ablution and salat), keep focus on Allah(swt) and think everything occurs for our best.
Once this is done you will be in position to look for Allah(swt) guidance to take the best decision for all of you( Istikhara), insha´Allah.
I think to save your marriage and to have babies after five years under this conditions, you should really know what is behind all of this, insha´Allah. Please, don´t have any kind of pre- conceptions, because there can be many hidden fears beyond that behaviour.
Keep focus on Allah(swt)and bless her whatever she does or tells you, don´t keep any bad feeling in your Heart, this will help you to solve this situation faster, insha´Allah.
María
Brother Amin, As-salamu alaykum. As Maria said, going into debt is a bad thing, and should only be done in emergencies when it cannot be avoided. So my advice is no, do not borrow any “security money” for your wife.
It’s disappointing that she would make this request, because it’s like she is saying, “I need money in case our marriage does not work out.” As soon as someone introduces such an idea, it creates mutual doubt and suspicion and actually helps to bring about the feared result – divorce.
I suggest that you say to your wife, “I will not borrow any money. I’m your husband, I love you, I will not abandon you or divorce you, no matter what my parents say. It’s your choice to trust me or not.”
At your age, being 33 and owning two houses with no debt, you are doing well financially, Alhamdulillah. You said your wife is afraid that she would not get her share if you die. How about if you write a will, specifically naming your wife as inheritor of the houses, and file it with an attorney? Maybe this would put your wife’s mind at ease.
Also, maybe you can set a goal to save money and buy another house in ten years, and that house would be in your wife’s name.
As far as having children, have both of you seen a specialist to determine if there is any physical problem? You might also consider adoption.
Wael
Please make dua for me and my family we are in great debt …jazakallah may Allah reward you all and remove all difficulties .Ameen
Istarted bussiness in Gulf Contry But I am in huge loss.Please makeDuafor me that Allah (SWT) resolve it.
Asalam Alaikum,
I am currently a graduate student in the medical field. I had to take out loans to pay for school but only took out certain loans that would not accumulate interest until 6 months after I graduated (subsidized loan). My plan was to work really hard those 6 months and pay it off with the help of my family before any interest would accumulate. But recently a bill was passed by Congress stating that these subsidized loans will now accumulate interest starting July 2012. I don’t finish school until May 2013, so I won’t be able to take out this loan for my last year of schooling. So not only do I have no way to pay for the last year of schooling, but now I am also worried about this interest that may be accumulating on the loans I had already taken out. I was so upset when I found out that I might be getting charged interest, because it was not my intention to get any interest. I am hoping by Allah’s grace and mercy that they revoke this bill, or postpone its start date till a later date. And I hope Allah forgives me if I get charged interest. It was not my intention. I feel horrible. I have been reading dua’s about worry, grief and debt to try and ease my mind.
Please make dua for me
Brothers and Sisters, PLEASE Pray for me and my family. I have been ill for some time and debts have accumulated. I WANT TO PAY OFF EVERYONE. Please pray that Allah rids Me of my illness and debt. May Allah cast away EVERY misery of EVERY Muslim Brother and Sister in the World..Aameen..
( I was typing the message in the dark and made a spelling mistake in the earlier posting..I am a teacher and so I felt that maybe this a metaphoric calling to amend mistakes? I have made a few and Insha-Allah will NEVER repeat them again) The point to be made is..PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY!!!!!
Oh Allah! with Your Profound Grace , ERASE EVERY BIT OF MISERY FROM EVERY MUSLIM LIFE..Ameen!
Assalamu alaykum all, brother Amin’s story is a sad one. Me & wife work together in our bizness. I run the finances and Alhamdulillah never once has she caused any desire to want anything more than our daily living expenses. Brother Amin am sorry for the offence but truly speaking your wife has no faith in you. May Allah help you out of this problem.
Ameen.
Oh Allah, You Are Our Creator. You Know What’s best for us, while we know nothing. You Relieve debts, crises, calamities from Your slaves. Oh Allah Relieve every muslim’s debts, pains and stress. Oh Allah Save Muslim marriages from breaking. Oh Allah make us have faith in each other brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, wives n husbands. Oh Allah save us from shame. And lastly Oh Allah Forgive us and our parents for they brought us up from younger age to where we are now. Wasallillahumma Ala Khayrul khalqi Sayyiduna Muhammad(SAW) wa ala alihi, wa sahbihi ajmaeen.
Ameen.
Dear Brothers,
Please pray for me as i am in very huge debts, even my parents and brothers are not helping me and there is no way out i can see, i am very much helpless, i really dont know wht to do or how to survive i am very alone, i have lost all hope. plz pray for me plz
As salamu alaykum,
Insha´Allah you will find a way to pay that debt and not to get more debts. May Allah(swt) guide us every step we take to be closer to Him(swt). Ameen.
My prayers tonight are with you, Riyaz Ahmed, Insha´Allah.
Remember you were born to this world by His Grace, He(swt) has been always with you, just waiting for you to call Him, the prayer that will help you the most is the one that will come out of your Heart calling Him to be with you, showing Him your repentance from Heart from your wrong doing, ask for His Mercy and His Compassion, pray, He(swt) knows your Heart, He(swt) is the source of Hope and He is just waiting for your call, Insha´Allah, you won´t be anymore lost or alone.
Wasalam,
María
inshaallha dnt worry dnt feel alone allaha with us in every sustation we will praye for u……..,
“O Allah I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, I seek refuge in You from hopelessness and laziness, I seek refuge in You from miserliness and cowardice and I seek refuge in You from overwhelming debt and from the force of men.
O Allah, save me from haraam and make the halaal sufficient and by your boon/favour make me independent from others”
i found that dua reassuring and im happy i found it on with your help
iam in huge debt,plz pray for me to get relief from my debt. may allah bless you.
assalaam all. I desperately need your help. I lost my job and started a business but I was done in in a bad way and lost everything. landlord cancelked.contract and I had to move out. everyday I ask allah for help in every salaah. im,miserable as im just receiving bills. I cant even support my own family,wife and son and my wife is pregnant. I ask allah for strength as I feel it would be easier to be dead than to live like this. make dua pls.
Walaykum as salam, Brother,
Don´t give up, keep moving on, go out everyday to look for a job, read the newspapers, talk to all your friends that you need to work, put your curriculum vitae, everywhere, open your ways don´t focus just on what you have specialized, what you need now it is a job, insha´Allah.
Keep your bills and insha´Allah, you will be able to pay them soon. Can your family give you a hand until you are a bit better, at least to help you with your wife and child? Nothing wrong with asking for help for the most necessary, insha´Allah, you will be able to return it.
Trust Allah(swt), His ways are mysterious, He must be saving you and your family from something very wrong and He is making you a stronger believer and a stronger man through this test, say Alhamdulillah, you are alive to go through this and insha´Allah, get out of it as a better human being, a better muslim, a better husband, a better father, a better friend, a better brother,……this is just a test, please don´t get lost in it, Allah(swt) will show you a way out, insha´Allah, remember that if a door closed, insha´Allah, other one will open. Trust Allah(swt), insha´Allah you will overcome this test and you will look back saying, Alhamdulillah, I went through this, Alhamdulillah I overcome it and Alhamdulillah I learnt of it.
You are unique and the most precious jewel for your family, wife, children and all of us, there is no other one like you.
I hope the following helps, brother:
And [remember] Job, when he cried out to his Sustainer, “affliction has befallen me: but Thou art the most merciful of the merciful!” Whereupon We responded upon him and removed all the affliction from which he suffered; and We gave him his family, doubling their number as an act of grace from Us, and as a reminder unto all who worship Us.
Qur’an 21:83-84
Praise Allah(swt), He is listening to all that you say. Look for refuge on Him(swt) from the whisperings of evil. Read ayat al-kursi and the three last surahs of the Quran before going to sleep as our beloved Prophet(saw) did, this will give you Peace and protection, insha´Allah.
Trust Allah(swt) brother and mantain Hope, choose to be positive and to believe that you can overcome this test, remember if Allah(swt) cares for the lilys of the fields and the birds, how is He going to forget us?
Insha´Allah, I will pray for you tonight.
Wasalam,
Your sister
i am suffering more by debts. even I could not feed my family. whatever i tried it meets with failure . oh allah save me you are my only way.
inshaallah dont worry allah will help u
I am in a bad situation of debt, please do pray for me. debt in the sense i have taken huge money for business from differnt people, earlier my bussiness was very good, but now its not good, so i use to pay the investors monthly as a profit. but now bussiness situation is too bad…. i really in a bad situation. I really have full faith in Allah that he will defnitely take me out of this, but now i cant even take the phone calls from the investors for their profit. i told some of the people that i will pay their actual amount after some months, but they are not ready. if anyone have any good idea please tell me or some special dua to come out of it…. please tell…. and also please do pray for me.
anonymous, if these are investors then you should be honest with them, show them the books and let them know the business is failing. You should not be obligated to repay their investments. However, if these are loans, then you may have to declare bankruptcy. May Allah help you and give you a solution.
Wael
IslamicAnswers.com Editor
wael bro,
Actually they dont want to see the books, they need their investment back. i am also ready to give back their investment, but need some time like a year, because i have started some other business from which i hope i can returned their money…they want their profit to be given till investment is returned…. which is not right…..i dont feel that its correct…… they dont want to understand anything……. only solution is Allah and dua… because its huge amount….. please do pray for me…..
Normally when someone invests money, if the business does well they make a profit; if they business fails, they lose their investment. That’s the difference between an investment and a loan.
It all depends on what was written in your contract with these investors.