“Can I borrow a hundred, so our friendship doesn’t end?”
This trendy phrase, often heard on social media timelines as a joke, reminds us that borrowed money should always be repaid. In Arabic, debt is known as Al-Qardh, which etymologically means ‘to cut.’ In Islamic jurisprudence, it signifies providing assistance to those in need with the expectation of proper utilization and eventual repayment. But what does Islam say about this?
In Islam, the practice of debt and borrowing is governed by religious laws, the Qur’an, and hadiths. It is considered a form of mutual help and cooperation among people. This act is highly regarded and encouraged in Islam because of the great reward it carries.
- Al-Maidah verse 2 explains as follows:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تُحِلُّوْا شَعَاۤىِٕرَ اللّٰهِ وَلَا الشَّهْرَ الْحَرَامَ وَلَا الْهَدْيَ وَلَا الْقَلَاۤىِٕدَ وَلَآ اٰۤمِّيْنَ الْبَيْتَ الْحَرَامَ يَبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنْ رَّبِّهِمْ وَرِضْوَانًا ۗوَاِذَا حَلَلْتُمْ فَاصْطَادُوْا ۗوَلَا يَجْرِمَنَّكُمْ شَنَاٰنُ قَوْمٍ اَنْ صَدُّوْكُمْ عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ اَنْ تَعْتَدُوْۘا وَتَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوٰىۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوْا عَلَى الْاِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ ۖوَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ ۗاِنَّ اللّٰهَ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ
Meaning:
“O you who have believed, do not violate the rites of Allah or [the sanctity of] the sacred months or [neglect the marking of] the sacrificial animals and garlanding [them] or [violate the safety of] those coming to the Sacred House seeking bounty from their Lord and [His] approval. But when you come out of ihram, then [you may] hunt. And do not let the hatred of a people for having obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram lead you to transgress. And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.”
Allah SWT commands believers to do good to each other, including helping those in need.
Baca juga: Wajibkah Membayar Zakat untuk Orang yang Terlilit Hutang
Conditions Permitting Debt and Borrowing
There are conditions under which debt and borrowing are permissible:
In Situations of Necessity
Borrowing is allowed when necessary, such as to fulfill basic needs.
Intention to Repay
One should intend to repay debts and avoid procrastination. A hadith states:
“Whoever takes people’s money with the intention to repay it, Allah will help him repay it, and whoever takes it with the intention to spoil it, Allah will spoil him.” (Reported by Bukhari)
Written Agreement
To avoid conflict, there should be a written agreement and witnesses for the debt.
There is a teaching that one should not die in debt. This is conveyed in a hadith:
“Whoever dies with a debt of a dinar or dirham, it will be repaid with his good deeds on the Day of Judgment, as there will be no dinar or dirham there.” (Reported by Ibnu Majah)
Thus, Islam views debt and borrowing as permissible and even recommended, provided the borrower can repay the debt in the agreed time or as soon as possible.