Allah commands writing down a debt that is for a fixed time (2:282) and says that if a person is in hardship, there should be a postponement until things are easy, and to forgive is better (2:280). The Prophet ﷺ said that the delay of a wealthy person in paying his debt is injustice and that the soul of the believer is held back by his debt until it is paid.
1For the borrower
Repay on time, and when he is able, repay at once. A wealthy person who delays is unjust.
Borrow only when needed, and with the intention to repay.
Repay with something equal, or better with no stipulation (the Prophet ﷺ repaid with better than he took).
Write down debts in a will, because a debt remains owed after death and is paid from the estate before the inheritance is divided.
2For the lender
Write the debt and its date, and have witnesses.
Be patient with the one in difficulty and, if possible, forgive some or all of it.
Take nothing extra as a condition, because that is riba.
3The one who cannot pay
He is given time until his circumstances improve. Imprisoning or harming him is not allowed.
A person in debt is among the eight categories who can receive zakat (9:60).
Where the schools differ
The four Sunni schools agree on the main ruling above and differ in these points. No school is preferred here.
A debtor who is able to pay but delays may be compelled to pay by the judge. One who truly cannot pay must be given time, and is not imprisoned.
¡Creyentes!. Si contraéis una deuda por un plazo determinado, ponedlo por escrito. Que un escribano tome fiel nota en vuestra presencia, sin rehusarse a escribir como Alá le dé a entender. Que escriba. Que el deudor dicte en el temor de Alá, su Señor, y que no deduzca nada. Y si el deudor fuera necio, débil o incapaz de dictar, que dicte su procurador con fidelidad. Llamad, para que sirvan de testigos, a dos de vuestros hombres; s no los hay, elegid a un hombre y a dos mujeres de entre quienes os plazcan como testigos, de tal modo que si una yerra, la otra subsane su error. Que los testigos no se sustraigan cuando se les llame. Que no os repugne subscribir una deuda, sea pequeña o grande, precisando su vencimiento. Esto es más equitativo ante Alá, es más correcto para el testimonio y da menos lugar a dudas. A menos que se trate de una operación concluida entre vosotros sin intermediarios; entonces, no hay inconveniente en que no lo pongáis por escrito. Pero ¡tomad testigos cuando os vendáis algo! ¡Y que no se moleste al escribano ni al testigo! Si lo hacéis, cometeréis una iniquidad. ¡Temed a Alá! Alá os instruye. Alá es omnisciente.
Si está en apuro, concededle un respiro hasta que se alivie su situación. Y aún sería mejor para vosotros que le condonarais la deuda. Si supierais...
From the Sunnah
Sahih al-Bukhari 2287Authentic collection
The point of the hadith: A wealthy person who delays paying his debt does injustice.
Read the Arabic text
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَطْلُ الْغَنِيِّ ظُلْمٌ، فَإِذَا أُتْبِعَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَلَى مَلِيٍّ فَلْيَتْبَعْ ".
This is general information, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.
Fiqh questions
Debts: writing them, repaying them and being patient
Allah commands writing down a debt that is for a fixed time (2:282) and says that if a person is in hardship, there should be a postponement until things are easy, and to forgive is better (2:280). The Prophet ﷺ said that the delay of a wealthy person in paying his debt is injustice and that the soul of the believer is held back by his debt until it is paid.
Is this a fatwa?
No. It is a summary of well-known rulings with their evidence. For your own case, ask a qualified scholar.
What if my school differs from this answer?
Follow the view of the school you follow and the scholar who teaches you. The page lists the differences of the four schools.
