with debt; a person must never take the matter lightly. One should borrow only in cases of extreme necessity—not merely “need,” but genuine, pressing necessity. The proof is that when a man once said to the Prophet ﷺ, “Give me a wife in marriage,” the Prophet asked, “What will you present to her as a dowry?” He replied, “I possess nothing except my izār (waist-cloth).” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Your waist-cloth will be of no benefit to her: if you give it to her you will be left without it, and if you keep it you have provided her with no dowry. Look for something, even if only an iron ring.” The man searched but found nothing. The Prophet ﷺ then declared, “I have married her to you for whatever portion of the Qur’an you know by heart.” He did not tell him, “Go and borrow from the people,” even though marriage is an urgent need. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ neither permitted nor advised him to incur a debt, because debt is exceedingly serious.

It is reported—through a chain of transmission that is subject to critique—that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The believer’s soul remains suspended because of his debt until it is paid on his behalf.” The issue, therefore, is grave; do not belittle debt. Debt is anxiety by night and humiliation by day. As far as he can, a Muslim must guard himself against it and avoid excessive spending. Many people, though poor, wish to live and spend like the wealthy; they keep borrowing from one person after another, or take loans, or even engage in usury. This is a tremendous error. Even if all you possess is a single meal for the entire day and night, do not borrow—be patient and supplicate: “O Allah, enrich me.” Allah the Exalted says, “And if you fear poverty, Allah will enrich you out of His bounty, if He wills” (Q 9:28).