Being in debt is one of life’s heaviest burdens — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Islam acknowledges this hardship and offers believers both practical guidance and spiritual comfort. One of the most powerful supplications for relief from debt is the dua taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to his cousin and companion, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه:
اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Allahumma akfini bihalalika ‘an haramika, wa aghnini bifadlika ‘amman siwaka.
O Allah! Suffice me with what You have made lawful against what You have made unlawful, and make me independent, by Your bounty, of all besides You.”
Authentic Source of the Dua
According to the narration in Jāmiʿ at-Tirmidhī,
a slave came to Ali رضي الله عنه complaining that he was unable to pay off his debt. ʿAlī told him: “Shall I not teach you words the Messenger of Allah ﷺ taught me? If you have a debt like the mountain of Sir, Allah will pay it off for you.” Then he recited this dua.
اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلَالِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ، وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
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Why This Dua is So Powerful
This concise supplication beautifully combines three essential themes of Islamic financial ethics:
- Seeking halal provision from Allah - asking Allah ﷻ to sustain us through permissible means
- Avoiding haram (forbidden) reliance - seeking to stay away from impermissible financial paths
- Placing trust solely in Allah - acknowledging that true wealth and sufficiency come only from Allah ﷻ alone
Debt in Islam is taken seriously. The Prophet ﷺ warned against dying while indebted and even refused to lead funeral prayers of those who left unpaid debts until arrangements were made. This dua reflects both the spiritual awareness of debt and the hope of divine assistance.
How and When to Recite the Dua
There is no fixed time or number of recitations mentioned in authentic texts, but scholars recommend saying it frequently and sincerely, especially when feeling the weight of debt.
Best practices:
- Recite with firm belief in Allah ﷻ only
- Contemplate its meaning while seeking lawful earning sources
- Combine it with sincere Istighfar and Sadaqah, as both are causes of increased sustenance
Remember that any dua is most effective when coupled with tawakkul in Allah and effort i.e. budgeting, avoiding interest, repaying what you can, and maintaining honesty.
Lessons from This Dua
1. Faith and Financial Ethics
This dua ties spiritual purity to financial discipline. It teaches that the Muslim’s independence comes not from wealth itself, but from contentment and trust in Allah.
2. Avoiding Haram Transactions
The first part of the dua "akfini bihalalika ‘an haramika" is a reminder to pursue permissible income, stay away from riba, deceit, or unlawful gain.
3. Relying on Allah Alone
The second part "wa aghnini bifadlika ‘amman siwaka" reflects ikhlas.
Common Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
Debt can test patience and faith yet through supplication, discipline, and trust in Allah ﷻ, one finds both relief and spiritual strength. The dua “Allahumma Akfini Bihalalika ‘an Haramika wa Aghnini Bifadlika ‘amman Siwaka” is a timeless reminder to pursue lawful means, rely solely on the Creator, and believe that Allah’s bounty is limitless.
Take action today: write or print this dua, memorize it, and make it part of your daily supplications. Seek halal income, reduce unnecessary expenses, and trust that Allah will open the doors of provision, bi-idhni Allah.
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