What is the ruling on borrowing with usury from a bank or paying a bribe to obtain a purchase contract in order to settle a large debt?
Calamities descend only due to the hand's earning [ill-gotten gains] or sin. Therefore, one should frequently seek forgiveness (istighfar) and say "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" (There is no might nor power except with Allah) to find a way out of every difficulty. One should praise Allah that the calamity is not in their religion, for a calamity in religion is far greater. The debtor should say, "Allahumma akfini bi halalik 'an haramik wa aghnini bi fadlika 'amman siwak" (O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful provision against Your unlawful, and enrich me with Your grace beyond anyone else), and beware of resorting to the unlawful. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to seek refuge from debt and its burden. It is recommended to frequently say "La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah," and the well-known supplications, and to beware of usurious debts and bribes, for Allah aids whoever strives to repay their debts through lawful means.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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