Revive The Sunnah: A Forgotten Sunnah to Get Rid of Debt!

 *Revive The Sunnah: A Forgotten Sunnah to Get Rid of Debt!*

Debt is one of the heaviest burdens a person can carry in this world, and it even follows him into the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ himself would seek protection from the weight of debt, teaching us that debt can crush a person’s peace, dignity, and faith. Yet, in his mercy, he left us powerful duʿāʾs that serve as means of relief from debt, both spiritually and practically. Among these treasures is a forgotten Sunnah duʿā that has the potential to wipe away even mountains of debt.

People often search for financial strategies, shortcuts, or worldly tricks to escape debt, but they forget that the ultimate Provider is Allāh سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. He owns the treasures of the heavens and the earth. By turning to Him sincerely with the duʿā taught by the Prophet ﷺ, a believer combines reliance on Allāh with practical effort, thereby opening the doors of sustenance, barakah, and debt relief.

ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib [رضي الله عنه] reported: A slave who had a contract of manumission (mukātab) came to him and said: “I am not able to fulfill my contract, so help me.” ʿAlī said: “Shall I not teach you words that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ taught me? If you had a debt as great as a mountain, Allāh would repay it for you. Say:

اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلاَلِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ

( *Allāhumma-kfinī biḥalālika ʿan ḥarāmika, wa aghninī bi faḍlika ʿamman siwāka* ).”

_*— Jāmi' at-Tirmidhī 3563*_

*Meaning: “O Allāh, suffice me with what is lawful against what is prohibited, and make me independent by Your bounty from all others besides You.”*

*Benefits and Explanation*

1. *Spiritual protection from debt:* This duʿā is not only about money but about seeking purity and barakah in one’s wealth.

2. *Debt relief even if massive:* The Prophet ﷺ guaranteed that even if the debt were as huge as a mountain, Allāh would settle it.

3. *Contentment and independence:* By asking Allāh for sufficiency in ḥalāl, one’s heart detaches from ḥarām sources of income and reliance upon people.

4. *A lesson in tawakkul (trust):* It shows us that ultimate provision comes only from Allāh, not from manipulative strategies or unlawful means.

5. *A safeguard from desperation:* Debt can push people into sin, but this duʿā shields the believer by strengthening his īmān and reminding him to stick to ḥalāl solutions.

*More Benefits*

*1. This duʿā reflects the heart of Tawhīd in Rubūbiyyah (Allāh’s Lordship)*

This is not just a request for financial help. It’s a declaration that only Allāh provides, that only His bounty matters, and that no one else truly owns or controls anything. It’s surrendering the illusion of control and handing over the affair to the One who owns the heavens and the earth. *_When someone seeks a loan from another person, he fears rejection, delay, or humiliation. But when he turns to Allāh, he is knocking on the door of the One who never turns away a sincere beggar, who loves when His servant calls upon Him, especially in desperation._*

*2. Acknowledging the Test of Wealth and Debt*

Debt is not just a number; it can destroy one’s peace, honor, relationships, and even dīn. The Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge from being overcome by debt (Bukhārī 2393), showing us that it can enslave a person emotionally and spiritually. This duʿā acknowledges this danger and brings your heart back to balance, asking Allāh for what is enough from the halāl, without needing what is impermissible or becoming dependent on creation.*_Many fall into interest-based loans, gambling, fraud, or desperate begging, simply because they forgot that Allāh is the true Provider and that ḥarām will never bring barakah._*

*3. It is a duʿā that trains the nafs (self) to prefer barakah over abundance*

When you say: “O Allāh, suffice me with Your halāl instead of Your harām”, you are asking not for riches, but for enough halāl rizq that is sufficient, contenting, and blessed.

You are saying: “I’d rather have little with honor and purity, than wealth with shame and sin.”

*_This mindset removes jealousy, impatience, and resentment when others seem to be “making it big” through questionable means. Your heart learns to be content with what Allāh decrees, knowing that true wealth is not what’s in the hand, but what’s in the soul._*

*4. The second part of the duʿā: “...and enrich me by Your bounty from all besides You.”*

This statement is a shield from being humiliated in front of creation. You’re not just asking for money, you’re asking Allāh to free your heart from needing anyone else. You may still receive support from others, but when it comes through Allāh’s hands, your dignity remains preserved. This is a duʿā for emotional independence, not just financial freedom. _*Being in debt to people often leads to guilt, broken friendships, pressure, or even humiliation. But being in need of Allāh leads to ʿizzah (honor), tawakkul (trust), and purification of the heart.*_

*5. A duʿā that realigns your priorities*

Financial anxiety exists everywhere, online get-rich schemes, and societal pressure to “make it.” This duʿā grounds you again. It reminds you that:

* Your risk is already written.

* The ḥalāl is always enough.

* Debt can destroy, but Allāh’s bounty gives life.

* True freedom is being content with Allāh.

*Reflection*

Debt is not just financial, it is spiritual. The Prophet ﷺ refused to pray janāzah over those who had unpaid debts, teaching us its seriousness. A person in debt can lose dignity, peace of mind, and may even compromise his faith when desperate. This Sunnah duʿā reshapes our approach to wealth: instead of chasing ḥarām shortcuts or becoming dependent on people, we seek sufficiency in ḥalāl and independence through Allāh’s bounty.

It also teaches us humility, no matter how “big” our debt is, it is still small compared to the treasures of Allāh. Mountains can be crushed by His Mercy. So what is our little debt before Him?

*Remember:*

1. *Memorize the duʿā:* Learn it in Arabic and also understand its meaning - اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلاَلِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ. ( *Allāhumma-kfinī biḥalālika ʿan ḥarāmika, wa aghninī bi faḍlika ʿamman siwāka* ).”

2. *Recite regularly:* Say it in your daily duʿāʾs, after ṣalāh, in sujūd, and especially during times of financial hardship.

3. *Maintain taqwā:* Avoid ḥarām income sources, as the duʿā specifically seeks sufficiency through ḥalāl.

4. *Take practical steps:* Work hard, budget wisely, and repay debts little by little while keeping this duʿā alive.

5. *Teach others:* Revive this forgotten Sunnah by teaching family and friends who struggle with debt.

Balance of duʿā and effort: This Sunnah shows Islām’s balance, make duʿā sincerely, but also take practical means like earning, saving, and repaying. Shunning reliance on creation: The duʿā reminds us that true richness is being content with Allāh’s provision, not begging people. Relief from stress: Constantly reciting this duʿā also eases the anxiety that debt brings, because your heart finds peace in trusting Allāh. Protection of dignity: By asking Allāh to make you independent of others, you safeguard your honor from humiliation in front of people.