Living on Credit
Posted: 27 Zul-Hijjah 1423, 1 March 2003
| Q.) Please I would like to know whether Islam encourages living on credit as is very common in the West? [Muhammad Nuruddeen] |
A.) Syedna Abu Hurayra, Radi-Allahu anhu, narrates that Rasulullah 
said, ‘The delay (of payment without any genuine excuse) of a wealthy person is oppression.’ (Mishkaat pg.251)
In yet another Hadith, Sayyidna Abdullah ibn Umar, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Rasulullah said, ‘All the sins of a martyr are forgiven except his debts.’ (Muslim)
In another Hadith, mention is made of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) refusing to perform the Janaaza Salat of such people who had died owing debt without leaving sufficient wealth to discharge it.’ (Bukhari)
We can understand from the above that one should as far as possible refrain from taking things on credit and getting involved in debt. It is definitely preferable to do all transactions in cash. And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
Albalagh Note: Perpetually living on credit is a capitalist idea that creates economic servitude for individuals as well as nations. It has created a society in which people buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have and mortgage their entire working lives to pay off the debt so created. A Muslim, on the other hand, has been taught to make dua seeking Allah’s protection against the burden of debt in the same way he seeks protection against Hell.