Is it permissible to take loans or give loans to Muslims or non-Muslims?
هل يجوز للمسلم أن يتعامل مع المسلمين أو غيرهم بالدين؟
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.
يعد الدين أمراً بالغ الأهمية في الإسلام، شُرع لتخفيف المشقة ولكنه محكوم بقواعد أخلاقية صارمة لحماية حقوق جميع الأطراف المعنية.
The Conditions and Ethics of Debt | شروط وآداب الدين
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.
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. 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.
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. The Prohibition of Delaying Payment
So it is the borrower’s duty to pay back the debt when it is due, and it is illegal 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Can I take an interest free loan from a non-Muslim?
Yes. Islam allows general financial dealings, buying, selling, and borrowing with non-Muslims, as long as the transaction itself does not involve Riba (interest) or other prohibited elements.
What happens if someone borrows money but never intends to pay it back?
According to the authentic Hadith, whoever takes people's money with the hidden intention to spoil it or run away without paying, Allah will ruin them. It is a severe sin and a form of theft.
Is it a sin to delay paying back a loan if I have the money?
Yes. The Prophet Muhammad pbuh explicitly stated that a wealthy or capable person delaying the repayment of a debt is committing injustice (Zulm). It is forbidden to make the creditor wait if you have the means to pay them back on time.