From the Sunnah
Duas for getting out of debt
The authentic duas the Prophet ﷺ taught for debt (qarz), with their meaning, and the practical halal step that goes with them.
By the Halal Debt Solutions team · Last updated 19 July 2026
The Prophet ﷺ taught specific duas for debt. The most well-known are below, in Arabic with transliteration and meaning, from Sahih al-Bukhari and Jami’ at-Tirmidhi. Islam pairs dua with action: alongside turning to Allah, the Sunnah is to face the debt honestly and take practical steps. This page gives you both, the duas and the halal next step for the UK.
This page is educational. It is not a fatwa or religious ruling, and not financial advice. The duas and narrations are from widely accepted authentic collections.
1. The dua for debt the Prophet ﷺ taught Ali (may Allah be pleased with him)
اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Allahumma-kfini bi halalika ‘an haramika, wa aghnini bi fadlika ‘amman siwak.
“O Allah, suffice me with what You have made lawful so that I need nothing unlawful, and enrich me from Your bounty so that I need no one besides You.”
The Prophet ﷺ told Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that through this dua, Allah would settle his debt “even if it were like a mountain”. Jami’ at-Tirmidhi (3563).
2. The dua the Prophet ﷺ said often against the burden of debt
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْحَزَنِ، وَالْعَجْزِ وَالْكَسَلِ، وَالْبُخْلِ وَالْجُبْنِ، وَضَلَعِ الدَّيْنِ وَغَلَبَةِ الرِّجَالِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-hazan, wal-’ajzi wal-kasal, wal-bukhli wal-jubn, wa dala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from worry and grief, from weakness and laziness, from miserliness and cowardice, from the burden of debt and from being overpowered by men.”
The Prophet ﷺ said this dua often, and worry, grief and the weight of debt are named together in it. Sahih al-Bukhari (6369). A similar narration in Sunan Abi Dawud (1555) records it being taught to say morning and evening.
3. The dua the Prophet ﷺ made inside the prayer
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْمَأْثَمِ وَالْمَغْرَمِ
Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-ma’thami wal-maghram.
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and from debt.”
When asked why he sought refuge from debt so often, he ﷺ replied: “When a man is in debt, he speaks and lies, and he promises and breaks his promise.” Sahih al-Bukhari (832).
Is it enough to make dua without taking action?
Dua is real and powerful, and it sits alongside action, not instead of it. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to trust in Allah and tie the camel. When companions struggled with debt, he did not only pray for them; he also guided them to practical steps with what they owed. Making the duas above while honestly facing the debt, working out what you owe, and getting proper help, is the complete Sunnah approach.
Is being in debt a sign of weak faith?
No. Debt is a burden, not a verdict on your iman. The Prophet ﷺ himself sought refuge from it, which tells us how heavy it is, and he treated people in debt with dignity, not blame. Illness, job loss, family duties and rising costs pull good people into debt every day. Shame is one of the biggest reasons people stay stuck; there is no shame in asking for help.
What practical halal steps can I take in the UK?
The UK has established, regulated ways to deal with existing debt without taking on any new interest: realistic repayment plans, Debt Management Plans, and formal solutions where interest is often frozen and, in some cases, part of the debt is written off. We explain them through an Islamic lens on our halal debt relief page. For interest-free hardship help, including zakat-based grants and Qard Hasan, see Urgent help.
How does Halal Debt Solutions help?
We are a free educational and referral service, and we are not a lender and not FCA-authorised. We don’t provide loans, charge you, or give regulated advice. What we do is help you understand your options through an Islamic lens, then connect you with an FCA-authorised debt adviser who can set up a suitable, regulated solution. Free, confidential, and judgement-free.
Dua first. Then take the step.
A free, confidential, no-judgement chat about your situation, then we connect you with an FCA-authorised adviser who understands your values.
Halal Debt Solutions is an educational and referral service and is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. This page does not provide regulated financial advice or religious rulings; for a ruling on your specific situation, speak to a qualified scholar. Free, impartial debt guidance is also available from MoneyHelper, StepChange and Citizens Advice.