Outils Essentiels du Musulman
Articles et Guides Islamiques
Dua

Dua for Debt Relief: The Prophetic Prayer That Removes Worry and Settles Debt

Debt is one of the heaviest burdens a person can carry — it disturbs sleep, strains relationships, and weighs on the heart long after the money itself has been spent. Islam does not ask believers to bear this weight in silence. The Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provide both spiritual and practical guidance for those seeking relief from debt, beginning with a specific dua for debt relief that the Prophet ﷺ personally taught to a companion who was overwhelmed by financial hardship. In Turkish-speaking communities this supplication is often searched for as the "borç duası" (debt prayer), reflecting how universal this concern is across the Muslim world.

This article brings together the authentic hadith texts — in Arabic, transliteration, and English translation — along with guidance on when and how to recite them, additional prayers from the Qur'an and Sunnah, and the broader Islamic framework for dealing with debt responsibly.

The Burden of Debt in Islam: Why the Prophet ﷺ Sought Refuge From It

Islam takes financial obligation extremely seriously. Debt (dayn) is not sinful in itself — borrowing for a legitimate need, such as buying a home or starting a lawful business, is permissible. However, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ repeatedly warned about the spiritual and social dangers of carrying unpaid debt, and he modeled a habit of actively seeking Allah's protection from it.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to say in his prayer:

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ

Transliteration: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-ma'thami wal-maghram.

Translation: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and from being in debt."

When someone asked why he sought refuge from debt so often, the Prophet ﷺ explained:

"When a man is in debt, he speaks and tells lies, and he makes a promise and breaks it." (Sahih al-Bukhari 832 and Sahih Muslim 589)

This hadith reveals why Islam treats debt as more than a financial issue — unpaid debt can push a person toward dishonesty and broken promises, both of which corrode faith and character. The Prophet ﷺ was so concerned about this that, according to a report in Sahih al-Bukhari, he even declined to lead the funeral prayer for a man who died owing money until someone guaranteed to settle the debt on his behalf. This underscores how seriously the religion views financial responsibility, while also showing the mercy available to those who sincerely intend to repay what they owe.

It is important to note, however, that having debt is not itself a sin, and being in financial difficulty does not diminish a person's standing before Allah. The concern in these hadiths is about the temptations that debt can create and the importance of intending to repay it — a distinction scholars consistently emphasize.

The Hadith of Abu Umama: The Prophetic Dua for Debt and Worry

The most well-known and specific dua for debt relief in the Sunnah comes from the story of Abu Umama al-Ansari, a companion who was found sitting in the mosque outside of prayer times.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

One day the Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the mosque and saw a man from the Ansar called Abu Umama. He said, "O Abu Umama, why do I see you sitting in the mosque when it is not the time for prayer?" He said, "I am overwhelmed by worries and debts, O Messenger of Allah." The Prophet ﷺ said, "Shall I not teach you some words which, if you say them, Allah will remove your worry and settle your debt?" He said, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." He said, "Say every morning and evening..." Abu Umama later said, "I did that, and Allah removed my worry and settled my debt."

This narration is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 1555, and portions of the same supplication are separately confirmed as authentic in Sahih al-Bukhari.

The Full Arabic Text

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ غَلَبَةِ الدَّيْنِ وَقَهْرِ الرِّجَالِ

Transliteration

Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wa a'udhu bika minal-'ajzi wal-kasal, wa a'udhu bika minal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa a'udhu bika min ghalabatid-dayni wa qahrir-rijal.

English Translation

"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief, I seek refuge in You from incapacity and laziness, I seek refuge in You from cowardice and miserliness, and I seek refuge in You from being overcome by debt and being overpowered by men."

A closely related version of this same supplication — narrated by Anas ibn Malik — appears with slightly different phrasing (wa dala'id-dayn instead of ghalabatid-dayn) and is recorded as authentic in Sahih al-Bukhari 6369:

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْجُبْنِ وَالْبُخْلِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ، وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ

Transliteration: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-'ajzi wal-kasal, wal-jubni wal-bukhl, wa dala'id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.

Translation: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from incapacity and laziness, from cowardice and miserliness, from being overwhelmed by debt and from being overpowered by men."

Because this second version is preserved in Sahih al-Bukhari — the most rigorously verified hadith collection — many scholars point to it as the strongest textual foundation for reciting this dua, while the story of Abu Umama in Abu Dawud provides the specific context of debt relief that gives the prayer its popular name.

When and How to Read the Dua for Debt Relief

The Prophet ﷺ was explicit about the timing of this supplication: he instructed Abu Umama to recite it "every morning and evening." This places it among the recognized morning and evening remembrances (adhkar al-sabah wal-masaa) that many Muslims incorporate into their daily routine, alongside supplications like Ayat al-Kursi and the last three chapters of the Qur'an.

Practical guidance for incorporating this dua into daily worship includes:

  • After the Fajr prayer — reciting it as part of the morning dhikr routine, ideally before starting the day's affairs.
  • After the Asr or Maghrib prayer — as the "evening" counterpart specified in the hadith.
  • After the five daily prayers generally — many scholars note that seeking refuge from debt at the end of salah (before the final greeting) follows the example of Aisha's report about the Prophet ﷺ in Sahih al-Bukhari 6368.
  • During times of personal distress — there is no restriction against repeating this dua whenever worry about debt arises, in addition to the fixed morning and evening times.
  • With sincerity and consistency — Abu Umama's testimony that "Allah removed my worry and settled my debt" followed his consistent practice, not a single recitation.

You can use the Duas tool to keep a saved list of this and other supplications, and the Prayer Times page to structure your daily schedule around the five prayers, making it easier to attach this dhikr to a fixed routine. A dhikr counter can also help track consistent daily repetition.

Other Duas from the Qur'an and Sunnah for Debt Relief

Beyond the hadith of Abu Umama, several other supplications are recorded in authentic and widely cited sources for relief from debt and financial hardship.

The Dua Taught to a Freed Slave (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)

Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man burdened by a contractual debt came to him for help. Ali taught him a supplication that the Prophet ﷺ had taught him, saying that even a debt "as large as a mountain" would be settled through it.

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلاَلِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ

Transliteration: Allahumma akfini bihalalika 'an haramika, wa aghnini bifadlika 'amman siwaka.

Translation: "O Allah, suffice me with what is lawful, keeping me away from what is unlawful, and enrich me by Your bounty so that I need no one but You."

This dua is recorded in Jami' al-Tirmidhi (Hadith 3563), where Imam al-Tirmidhi classified it as hasan (sound). It is also cited in the collection Riyad as-Salihin (Book 17, Hadith 1486).

Seeking Refuge from Sin and Debt in Prayer

As mentioned earlier, Aisha reported that the Prophet ﷺ regularly included this line within his prayer:

Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ

Transliteration: Allahumma inni a'udhu bika minal-ma'thami wal-maghram.

Translation: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and from debt." (Sahih al-Bukhari 832, Sahih Muslim 589)

Some scholars recommend reciting this before the final tashahhud, following the Prophet's ﷺ own habit, though this remains a matter of personal practice rather than an obligatory ruling.

General Supplications for Ease and Provision

The Qur'an itself teaches believers to turn to Allah in times of hardship. Surah At-Talaq (65:2-3) states:

"And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out... and whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him."

While not a fixed ritual formula, verses like this are often recited or reflected upon by those seeking relief from financial strain, alongside abundant istighfar (seeking forgiveness). The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever persists in seeking forgiveness, Allah will grant him relief from every worry, a way out from every hardship, and provision from where he never expected." (Sunan Abu Dawud 1518, and similar wording is found in other collections)

For a broader collection of supplications related to sustenance and provision, see our guide on powerful duas for rizq, success, and provision, and for the emotional toll that debt often brings, our article on duas for anxiety, stress, and a troubled heart offers additional supplications.

Prophetic Wisdom on Borrowing and Repaying: Islamic Financial Ethics

Dua is paired in Islamic teaching with tangible responsibility. The Prophet ﷺ set out clear ethical principles for how believers should approach borrowing and repayment.

Intending to repay matters immensely. The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever takes the money of people with the intention of repaying it, Allah will repay it on his behalf, and whoever takes it in order to waste it, Allah will destroy him." (Sahih al-Bukhari 2387)

This hadith is frequently cited by scholars as evidence that sincere intention transforms debt from a burden into something Allah actively assists with — provided the borrower is genuinely striving to fulfill the obligation, not treating it carelessly.

Delaying repayment when able is condemned. The Prophet ﷺ described withholding payment from someone able to pay as a form of wrongdoing, and he encouraged creditors to show leniency toward those in genuine hardship, referencing the Qur'anic principle in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:280) that a debtor facing difficulty should be given time, and that forgiving the debt entirely is better still, if the creditor is able.

Debt should not be entered into lightly. Islamic financial ethics generally discourage taking on debt for non-essential luxuries. Scholars commonly advise that borrowing should be reserved for genuine needs, backed by a realistic repayment plan, and ideally free of interest (riba), which is explicitly prohibited in the Qur'an (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:275).

Zakat and charitable structures exist to help debtors. The Qur'an lists "those in debt" (al-gharimin) as one of the eight categories eligible to receive zakat (Surah At-Tawbah 9:60). This means that Islamic society has a built-in financial safety net for those overwhelmed by debt through no fault of their own — such as medical emergencies or business losses beyond their control. Learn more about how this works in our complete guide to Zakat and how to calculate it.

Actionable Steps Beyond Dua

Islamic scholars consistently emphasize that dua works together with effort — not as a replacement for it. The Prophet ﷺ tied his teaching of the debt dua to Abu Umama's continued action, not passive waiting. Consider these practical steps alongside your supplications:

  1. Make an honest budget. List all income and obligations. Many financial advisors — and Islamic finance educators — recommend the same discipline the Prophet ﷺ modeled in his own careful management of communal resources.
  2. Prioritize and consolidate debts. Address the smallest or most urgent debts first where possible, and communicate proactively with creditors rather than avoiding them, since honesty was central to the Prophet's ﷺ warning about debt leading to lying.
  3. Seek halal income opportunities. The Prophet ﷺ praised honest trade and lawful work as a means of provision. Actively pursuing additional lawful income, rather than relying on hope alone, reflects the balance between tawakkul (trust in Allah) and personal effort.
  4. Check zakat and sadaqah eligibility. If you are struggling with debt beyond your control, you may be eligible to receive zakat support as a gharim (debtor), or local mosques and Islamic charities may offer interest-free relief loans (qard hasan).
  5. Avoid interest-based borrowing. Where possible, seek interest-free (qard hasan) arrangements from family, community funds, or Islamic financial institutions, since riba is prohibited and can compound financial hardship further.
  6. Increase istighfar and dhikr. Alongside financial planning, consistent seeking of forgiveness and remembrance of Allah is described in hadith as a means through which Allah creates unexpected ways out of hardship.
  7. Renew your intention regularly. Periodically remind yourself of the intention to repay every debt in full — this intention itself is described in hadith as something Allah assists.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Treating dua as a substitute for repayment effort. Reciting the dua without taking any practical steps toward earning, budgeting, or negotiating with creditors misunderstands the balance the Prophet ﷺ modeled.
  • Taking on new debt to pay old debt without a real plan. This can create a cycle that deepens financial hardship rather than resolving it.
  • Ignoring interest-based (riba) products when seeking relief, which Islamic teaching identifies as spiritually and financially harmful even when it appears to offer short-term ease.
  • Reciting the dua inconsistently. The hadith specifies "morning and evening" — sporadic recitation is less aligned with the Sunnah pattern described in the narration.
  • Avoiding creditors instead of communicating honestly, which directly contradicts the Prophet's ﷺ warning about debt leading a person to lie and break promises.
  • Neglecting to explore zakat or community assistance out of hesitation or unawareness that debt relief is an explicitly recognized category of zakat distribution.
  • Losing hope. Abu Umama's story is fundamentally one of hope — a man overwhelmed by worry found relief through consistent supplication paired with sincere intention.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most authentic dua for debt relief in Islam? The supplication taught to Abu Umama, recorded in Sunan Abu Dawud (Hadith 1555), is the most specifically tied to debt relief, and a closely related version of the same wording is confirmed as authentic in Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 6369). Both are considered reliable references for this purpose.

2. Can I recite this dua for someone else who is in debt, such as a family member? Muslims commonly make dua on behalf of others, including immediate family members facing financial hardship. While the hadith describes the Prophet ﷺ teaching the dua directly to the person in debt, supplicating for another person's relief is a well-established practice supported by the general Islamic encouragement to pray for fellow believers. For specific personal or family religious questions, it is best to consult a qualified scholar.

3. How many times should I recite the debt relief dua each day? The hadith specifies reciting it "morning and evening," which many scholars interpret as once after Fajr and once after Asr or Maghrib. There is no restriction on additional repetition during moments of worry, though the fixed structure reflects the Sunnah pattern most closely.

4. Does reciting this dua guarantee my debt will be paid off? Dua is a means of seeking Allah's help and mercy, but Islamic teaching pairs it with sincere effort, honest intention to repay, and practical financial steps. Abu Umama's own testimony describes relief following consistent practice, not a one-time recitation without further action. Outcomes ultimately rest with Allah's wisdom and timing.

5. Is it permissible to take on debt in Islam at all? Yes, borrowing for legitimate needs is permissible, and the Prophet ﷺ himself borrowed on occasion. The concern in Islamic teaching is less about debt itself and more about the intention to repay, the avoidance of interest (riba), and the discipline to manage repayment responsibly.

6. What should I do if I cannot afford to repay my debt at all? Islamic teaching encourages debtors in genuine hardship to communicate honestly with creditors, and it encourages creditors to grant extensions or forgive debts where possible (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:280). Debtors may also be eligible for zakat assistance as one of the recognized categories of recipients. Consulting a knowledgeable scholar or a trusted Islamic financial counselor for your specific situation is strongly recommended.

7. Are there Quranic verses specifically about debt relief? The Qur'an addresses debt directly in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:280-282) regarding fair dealing, patience with debtors, and proper documentation of loans, and in Surah At-Tawbah (9:60) regarding zakat eligibility for those in debt. These verses form the scriptural foundation for much of the guidance scholars derive on this topic.

Related Content

Sources and References

This article is intended for general educational purposes and reflects commonly cited scholarly views on the topic. It does not constitute a personal religious ruling (fatwa). For guidance specific to your individual circumstances, please consult a qualified Islamic scholar.

Autres Articles

Halal Food Guide: What Muslims Can and Cannot Eat

Hajj and Umrah: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

A Complete Guide to Zakat and How to Calculate It