Life brings good times, and it also brings want, hardship and financial crisis. Falling income, mounting debt or a lack of money when it is needed leave many people anxious. In such times, a believer’s duty is not to despair but to trust in God’s mercy and to seek His help.
Islam places particular weight on prayer, istighfar (seeking forgiveness), taqwa (God-consciousness) and lawful earning as the way out of financial hardship and debt. The Quran and the hadith give guidance on the subject. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself sought refuge in God from the burden of debt and from anxiety. These are the practices and steps that can be followed in a financial crisis:
1. Reciting the supplication for freedom from debt
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught a particular supplication for relief from the burden of debt. When a man asked Ali (may God be pleased with him) how to free himself from debt, he advised him to recite the supplication the Prophet had taught.
The supplication is:
اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Transliteration: Allahummakfini bihalalika an haramika, wa aghnini bifadlika amman siwak.
Meaning: O God, suffice me with what You have made lawful so that I need nothing unlawful, and by Your grace make me free of need of anyone but You. (Tirmidhi: 3563)
The supplication asks for want to be relieved through lawful earning and for freedom from depending on others. People under the pressure of debt can recite it sincerely.
2. The supplication for relief from anxiety and the weight of debt
A financial crisis does not only cause money problems; it also destroys peace of mind. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught a supplication for relief from worry over repaying debts, household expenses and an uncertain future.
The supplication is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Transliteration: Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal hammi wal hazani, wal ajzi wal kasali, wal bukhli wal jubni, wa dala’id daini wa ghalabatir rijal.
Meaning: O God, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from the burden of debt and from being overpowered by people. (Bukhari: 6369)
Along with the burden of debt, the supplication asks for relief from mental unrest, incapacity and laziness.
3. Seeking forgiveness often
Istighfar is one of the most important practices for relief from want and for blessing in one’s provision. Istighfar means asking God’s forgiveness for one’s sins.
Relating the words of the Prophet Noah (peace be upon him), God says in the Quran: “Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever forgiving. He will send down abundant rain upon you, increase you in wealth and children, and provide for you gardens and rivers.” (Surah Nuh: 10-12)
These verses link istighfar with God’s blessings, wealth and plenty. A believer should therefore seek forgiveness regularly, repent of their mistakes and ask God’s pardon. But istighfar should be taken up as worship to earn God’s pleasure and mercy, not as a mechanical guarantee of greater wealth.
4. Practising taqwa and trusting in God
Taqwa and trust in God are vital in facing a financial crisis. Taqwa means living in awe of God and following what He commands and forbids.
God says: “Whoever fears God, He will make a way out for him and provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies on God, He is sufficient for him.” (Surah At-Talaq: 2-3)
The verse shows that in hard times a believer should keep faith in God and follow His law. Financial hardship is no reason to turn to unlawful earnings. At the same time, trusting in God does not mean sitting with folded hands; true tawakkul (reliance on God) is to make every effort by lawful means and leave the outcome to Him.
5. Earning lawfully and working to repay debts
Alongside prayer and worship, Islam instructs people to work for a lawful living. Someone in financial hardship should therefore keep trying to earn as much as they are able, rather than only praying and waiting.
That can mean cutting unnecessary and luxury spending, keeping track of income and expenses, planning debt repayments, and learning new skills to widen earning opportunities. Where needed, the borrower should contact the lender to discuss instalments or more time to repay. Interest, fraud and dishonest earnings must be avoided.
Stressing the importance of a sincere intention to repay, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever takes people’s wealth intending to repay it, God will repay it on his behalf. And whoever takes it intending to squander it, God will destroy him.” (Bukhari: 2387)
The hadith makes clear the importance of responsibility and sincere intention in borrowing. Everyone who takes a loan has a duty to try to repay it.
Financial hardship and the burden of debt are among life’s hardest tests. In such times it is essential not to despair, but to seek God’s help, ask forgiveness regularly, practise taqwa and keep working for a lawful income. Alongside reciting the supplications the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught, one must strive to meet one’s financial obligations. Remember that God is the provider. So in hard times, do not lose hope in His mercy; face the crisis through prayer, repentance, hard work and reliance on God.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report