What is the ruling of committing the debt transaction in writing?
ما حكم كتابة الدين؟
The longest verse in the Quran is dedicated to the precise rules of documenting debt, highlighting the immense importance Islam places on financial clarity and justice.
أطول آية في القرآن الكريم مخصصة للقواعد الدقيقة لتوثيق الدين، مما يبرز الأهمية البالغة التي يوليها الإسلام للوضوح والعدل المالي.
Documentation and Collateral | التوثيق والرهن
1. A Divine Guideline for Protection
These are guidelines set by Allah to His creations, to protect their money and control it, by either writing it or by having collateral. It is desirable to commit the debt in writing especially when one fears that one’s right could be compromised.
1. توجيه إلهي للحماية
هذا إرشاد من الله لعباده بحفظ أموالهم وضبطها بالكتابة أو الاستيثاق بالرهن. يستحب كتابة الدين ويتأكد ذلك حين يخشى ضياع الحق.
2. The Verse of Debt
(O believers! When you contract a loan for a fixed period of time, commit it to writing. Let the scribe maintain justice between the parties. The scribe should not refuse to write as Allah has taught them to write. They will write what the debtor dictates, bearing Allah in mind and not defrauding the debt. If the debtor is incompetent, weak, or unable to dictate, let their guardian dictate for them with justice. Call upon two of your men to witness. If two men cannot be found, then one man and two women of your choice will witness so if one of the women forgets the other may remind her. The witnesses must not refuse when they are summoned. You must not be against writing contracts for a fixed period whether the sum is small or great.) Al-Baqara 2: 282.
2. آية الدين
قال الله تعالي: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا تَدَايَنتُم بِدَيْنٍ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى فَاكْتُبُوهُ ۚ وَلْيَكْتُب بَّيْنَكُمْ كَاتِبٌ بِالْعَدْلِ وَاسْتَشْهِدُوا شَهِيدَيْنِ مِن رِّجَالِكُمْ ۖ فَإِن لَّمْ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيْنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَامْرَأَتَانِ مِمَّن تَرْضَوْنَ مِنَ الشُّهَدَاءِ أَن تَضِلَّ إِحْدَاهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحْدَاهُمَا الْأُخْرَىٰ وَلَا يَأْبَ الشُّهَدَاءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُوا ۚ وَلَا تَسْأَمُوا أَن تَكْتُبُوهُ صَغِيرًا أَوْ كَبِيرًا إِلَىٰ أَجَلِهِ) آية الدين من سورة البقرة: 282.
3. Alternatives and Trust
(If you are on a journey and a scribe cannot be found, then a security can be taken. If you trust one another, then there is no need for a security, but the debtor should honour this trust by repaying the debt and let them fear Allah, their Lord. And do not conceal the testimony, for whoever conceals it, their hearts are indeed sinful. And Allah fully knows what you do.) Al-Baqara 2: 283.
3. البدائل والأمانة
(وَإِن كُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ وَلَمْ تَجِدُوا كَاتِبًا فَرِهَانٌ مَّقْبُوضَةٌ ۖ فَإِنْ أَمِنَ بَعْضُكُم بَعْضًا فَلْيُؤَدِّ الَّذِي اؤْتُمِنَ أَمَانَتَهُ وَلْيَتَّقِ اللَّهَ رَبَّهُ ۗ وَلَا تَكْتُمُوا الشَّهَادَةَ ۚ وَمَن يَكْتُمْهَا فَإِنَّهُ آثِمٌ قَلْبُهُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ) البقرة 2: 283.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Is it obligatory or just recommended to write down a debt?
The majority of Islamic scholars agree that writing down a debt is highly recommended (Mustahabb) rather than strictly obligatory. It acts as a divine guideline to protect wealth and prevent future disputes.
What should be done if a scribe or paper cannot be found to write the debt?
The Quran states that if you are traveling or cannot document the debt, taking a physical security or collateral (Rahn) from the debtor is a valid alternative to secure the creditor's rights.
Is it necessary to write down small debts?
Yes, the Quran specifically advises believers not to be weary of writing down contracts for a fixed period, regardless of whether the sum is small or great, to ensure absolute clarity and justice.