Debts and Borrowing

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must seek protection with Allah against over- powering debts, dominating (increasing) number of men and single women.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘We are told that a man from al-Ansar died while he owed two dinar to pay. The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, did not perform Salat (prayer) on his dead body and said, “You must perform Salat (prayer) on the dead body of your companion.” (It was the case) until someone of his relatives guaranteed to pay the two dinars on his behalf.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘That is the right.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah did so to teach people a lesson to pay back the debts they owe to each other and must not take the issue of debts lightly. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, passed away while he owed payable debts, al-Hassan (a.s.), died while he owed payable debts and Al-Husayn (a.s.), was murdered while he owed payable debts.’”

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), said to me, ‘Whoever works to provide sustenance for himself and his family is considered a Mujahid (fighter) for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. If poverty over-powers him, he then should borrow upon the responsibility of Allah and His Messenger for his sustenance and his family. If he dies and cannot pay back, it then becomes the responsibility of the Imam to pay it. If he did not do so, he will be held responsible. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, ‘Charities are for the poor, destitute and the charity (tax) collectors . . . ., and those suffering bankruptcy.’ (9:61) He is poor, destitute and bankrupt.’”

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘I like for a man, who is indebted, to sincerely have the intention of paying it off.’”

“A man asked al-Rida’ (a.s.), when I was listening, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, says, “If one has difficulty to pay his debts, he should be given respite until he is able to pay.” (2:281) Explain to me the limits of this “respite” of which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has spoken in His book. When a person with such difficulties is required to pay back? He has taken from the properties of the lender to spend on his family. He does not have any farm to wait for the harvest season, has not lent money to anyone to wait for payment time or an amount of lost property that he hopes will be found.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He is given respite until the Imam is informed about his condition who will pay on his behalf of the share of the bankrupt people, if he has spent what he has borrowed in obedience to Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious. If he has spent in disobedience to Allah, then the Imam is not responsible for his debts.’ I (the narrator) then asked, ‘What happens if the lender who trusted him and did not know if he (borrower) spends it in obedience or disobedience to the command of Allah?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He can try to get back what he has lent from the properties of the borrowers who must yield.” (Fatwa best explains the last part of the above case.)

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Being killed for the cause of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, serves as expiation for all kinds of sins except debts, for which there is no expiation other than paying it back or those liable pay or the owner of the lending right waives it in favor of the borrower.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The Imam pays off the debts of the believing people except Muhur (dowry) of women.’”

“Once a man came to abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying that al-Mu‘alla’ ibn Khunays owed him a certain amount and said, ‘He has destroyed my rights.’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), said, ‘Your rights are destroyed by the one who murdered him (al-Mu‘alla’).’ He (the Imam) then told al- Walid to pay back his rights, ‘I like to cool down his skin which was cool already.’”

“I once said to abu Ja‘far, al-Thaniy (a.s.), ‘I like to reside in Makkah or al-Madinah, but there is a certain amount of debt that I must pay. What do you advise me to do?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘You must return to pay off what you owe, and bear in mind that you must go before Allah, most High, when there is no debts due on you. A believing person does not commit treachery.’”

“I heard abu al-Hassan, Musa (a.s.), read the following: ‘O mother, if I may become indebted (consider) that Moses son of ‘Imran would also borrow.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah, from his ancestors from Ali (a.s.), has stated this Hadith. ‘Beware of debts; it humiliates during the day and causes sadness during the night and it is payable both in this world and in the hereafter.’”