What is the ruling on someone who is in debt and unable to repay it due to an irresistible circumstance, and the creditors show him no mercy? What should he do to be excused in the sight of Allah?
If a person is in debt and unable to repay it, it is not permissible to imprison him or compel him to work to pay off his debt, for Allah Almighty says: (And if there is one in [financial] hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, differentiated between the wealthy debtor who defaults and the debtor in hardship. He considered the default of the wealthy to be an injustice, which indicates that there is no recourse against one in hardship. The debtor must strive to restore people's rights as much as he is able, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Whoever takes people's money with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf. And whoever takes it with the intention of destroying it, Allah will destroy him."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 35925
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy