The Martyr's Sins Are Forgiven Too, Except Debt

Shaykh Bali says that he himself was deeply shaken after reading this hadith — and this is where the answer to the question about debt begins.

How the Question Comes

The Shaykh says the danger of debt is very great — the Prophet ﷺ himself sought refuge in Allah from it. It is worry at night and humiliation by day.

Yet today some take on debt to decorate their homes, some buy a car costlier than the one they already have, and some borrow purely for things they merely fancy.

The Shaykh says — This is a very frightening matter.

So the question remains — when exactly can a Muslim take on debt?

The Shaykh's Answer

The answer in one line — no debt without unavoidable need.

By unavoidable need, the Shaykh meant food, drink, clothing and housing. Taking on debt for luxury or for things one merely fancies is not permissible.

He also gave the reason: if someone dies leaving a debt, even if he is one of the people of Paradise, his soul is held back from entering Paradise until the debt is paid. (Sunan at-Tirmidhi — hasan)

The Evidence — What Even Martyrdom Does Not Erase

نَعَمْ، إِلَّا الدَّيْنَ، أَخْبَرَنِي بِهِ جِبْرِيلُ آنِفًا

(If I am killed as a martyr in the way of Allah, will my sins be forgiven? — the Prophet ﷺ said:) Yes, except for debt; Jibril has just informed me of this. (Sahih Muslim)Copy

The Shaykh says — the man was leaving, and the Prophet ﷺ called him back and corrected what he had said. Because debt is the right of a person, and the right of a person is not forgiven even by martyrdom in the way of Allah.

What to Do

1. Before taking on debt, ask yourself — is this truly an unavoidable need?
2. Food, clothing and housing — beyond these, no debt for fancies or luxury.
3. List the debts you have and draw up a plan to repay them.
4. Give priority to becoming free of debt — it is the right of a person, not something to be left aside.

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Source: Based on the talk of Shaykh Waheed Abdussalam Bali

Translation and compilation: Raqi Faisal Ahmed Sabit — Al-Qur'an Ruqyah Healing Center