Is It Permissible to Borrow From or Lend to Muslims and Non-Muslims?
هل يجوز للمسلم أن يتعامل مع المسلمين أو غيرهم بالدين؟
Is it permissible to take loans or give loans to Muslims or non-Muslims?
The answer permits dealing in debt on two conditions: that the borrower knows he is able to repay and truly intends to. It cites the Quran's command to write down debts for a fixed term, the Prophet's promise that Allah repays for one who intends to repay, and his warning that delay by a wealthy debtor is injustice.
Debt is a serious matter in Islam, allowed to alleviate hardship but governed by strict ethical rules to protect the rights of all parties involved.
The Conditions and Ethics of Debt
1. Permissibility and Writing the Debt
It is permissible on the condition that he knows that he will be able to repay it, and to have the intention of repaying it. (O believers! When you contract a loan for a fixed period of time, commit it to writing) Al-Baqara 2: 282.
2. The Sincere Intention to Repay
He who borrows with the intention of paying back, Allah has guaranteed to pay this person’s debt in his lifetime and in the Hereafter. Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet pbuh said, "Whoever takes the money of the people with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to spoil it, then Allah will spoil him." Al-Bukhari 2387.
3. The Prohibition of Delaying Payment
So it is the borrower’s duty to pay back the debt when it is due, and it is forbidden for him to delay paying back without a valid reason. Delaying payment when one has the means is a forbidden injustice that warrants punishment in this world and the Hereafter. Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet pbuh said, "Procrastination in paying debts by a wealthy man is injustice." Al-Bukhari 2288 and Muslim 1564.
هل يجوز للمسلم أن يتعامل مع المسلمين أو غيرهم بالدين؟
يجيز الجواب التعامل بالدين بشرطين: أن يعرف المقترض قدرته على السداد، وأن ينوي السداد فعلا. ويستدل بأمر القرآن بكتابة الدين إلى أجل مسمى، وبوعد النبي ﷺ بأن الله يؤدي عمن يريد الأداء، وبتحذيره من مطل الغني.
يعد الدين أمراً بالغ الأهمية في الإسلام، شُرع لتخفيف المشقة ولكنه محكوم بقواعد أخلاقية صارمة لحماية حقوق جميع الأطراف المعنية.
شروط وآداب الدين
1. الجواز وكتابة الدين
يجوز ذلك بشرط أن يعرف عن نفسه قدرته على رد الدين وينوي رده فعلا. قال تعالى: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ ۚ وَلْيَكْتُب بَّيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌ بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ) البقرة 2: 282.
2. النية الصادقة للسداد
من استدان وفي نيته الرد، فقد تكفل الله بقضاء هذا الدين في الدنيا والآخرة. فعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (من أخذ أموال الناس يريد أداءها، أدى الله عنه، ومن أخذ يريد إتلافها، أتلفه الله) رواه البخاري 2387.
3. تحريم المماطلة في السداد
فالواجب على المدين أن يقضي الدائن حقه في وقته، ويحرم عليه تأخير القضاء من غير عذر، فمطله من الظلم المحرم، الذي يستحق عليه العقوبة الدنيوية والأخروية. فعن أبي هريرة قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: (مطل الغني ظلم) رواه البخاري 2288 ومسلم.
1. Debt With Non-Muslims | التعامل بالدين مع غير المسلمين
The Prophet bought food from a Jewish man on credit and gave him his iron armor as security (Sahih al-Bukhari 2068), and when he died his armor was still pledged with a Jewish man for thirty sa' of barley (Sahih al-Bukhari 2916). Debt with non-Muslims is therefore permitted on the same terms as with Muslims: no riba and no other forbidden element. The Quran itself mentions a pledge held in hand when no scribe is available (Al-Baqarah 2:283). That verse follows the Verse of Debt, 2:282, the longest verse in the Quran, explained in which is the longest verse in the Quran.
وَإِن كُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ وَلَمْ تَجِدُوا كَاتِبًا فَرِهَانٌ مَّقْبُوضَةٌ (سورة البقرة: 283)
اشترى النبي ﷺ طعاما من يهودي إلى أجل ورهنه درعا من حديد (صحيح البخاري 2068)، وتوفي ودرعه مرهونة عند يهودي بثلاثين صاعا من شعير (صحيح البخاري 2916). فالتعامل بالدين مع غير المسلمين جائز بالشروط نفسها: ألا يكون فيه ربا ولا محرم آخر. وقد ذكر القرآن الرهن المقبوض إذا لم يوجد كاتب (البقرة 2:283).
2. Debt Is a Serious Trust | الدين أمانة ثقيلة
The Prophet said that a believer's soul is held back by his debt until it is paid for him (Jami at-Tirmidhi 1078, graded sahih by al-Albani), and that whoever takes on a debt resolved not to repay it will meet Allah as a thief (Sunan Ibn Majah 2410, graded hasan sahih by al-Albani). He often sought refuge in Allah from sin and from heavy debt, explaining that a man in debt speaks and lies, and promises and breaks his promise (Sahih al-Bukhari 832).
فَإِنْ أَمِنَ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا فَلْيُؤَدِّ الَّذِي اؤْتُمِنَ أَمَانَتَهُ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ (سورة البقرة: 283)
قال النبي ﷺ: "نفس المؤمن معلقة بدينه حتى يقضى عنه" (جامع الترمذي 1078، صححه الألباني)، وقال: "أيما رجل يدين دينا وهو مجمع أن لا يوفيه إياه لقي الله سارقا" (سنن ابن ماجه 2410، قال الألباني: حسن صحيح). وكان يكثر الاستعاذة من المأثم والمغرم، وقال: "إن الرجل إذا غرم حدث فكذب، ووعد فأخلف" (صحيح البخاري 832).
3. Excellence in Repaying | حسن القضاء
The Prophet borrowed a young camel and, when camels of charity arrived, ordered that the lender be given a better one, saying that the best of people are those who repay their debts in the best way (Sahih Muslim 1600). Giving back more than was borrowed, when it was not a condition of the loan, is a kindness and not riba. Allah commands that trusts be returned to their owners (An-Nisa 4:58). Many commentators say this verse was revealed on the day of the conquest of Makkah, concerning the key of the Ka'bah, as explained in which verse was revealed inside the Ka'bah.
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَن تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا (سورة النساء: 58)
استسلف النبي ﷺ بكرا، فلما جاءت إبل الصدقة أمر أن يعطى صاحبه خيرا منه وقال: "إن خيار الناس أحسنهم قضاء" (صحيح مسلم 1600). فالزيادة عند الوفاء من غير شرط في القرض إحسان وليست ربا. وأمر الله تعالى بأداء الأمانات إلى أهلها (النساء 4:58).
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Can I take an interest free loan from a non-Muslim?
Yes. The Prophet bought food from a Jewish man on credit and gave him his armor as security (Sahih al-Bukhari 2068). Dealings with non-Muslims are permitted as long as they involve no riba or other forbidden element.
What happens if someone borrows money but never intends to pay it back?
The Prophet said that whoever takes people's money intending to destroy it, Allah will destroy him (Sahih al-Bukhari 2387), and that whoever takes on a debt resolved not to repay it will meet Allah as a thief (Sunan Ibn Majah 2410, graded hasan sahih by al-Albani).
Is it a sin to delay paying back a loan if I have the money?
Yes. The Prophet said that delay in paying a debt by a wealthy person is injustice (Sahih al-Bukhari 2288; Sahih Muslim 1564). It is forbidden to make the creditor wait when you are able to pay on time.
Is it allowed to repay more than was borrowed?
Yes, if the extra was not a condition of the loan. The Prophet repaid a young camel with a better one and said that the best of people are those who repay their debts in the best way (Sahih Muslim 1600).