Supplication Seeking Refuge from Sin and Debt

QUESTION

Allahumma inni a‘udhu bika minal-ma’thami wal-maghram

SHORT ANSWER

This supplication is authentic, narrated from ‘A’ishah by al-Bukhari and Muslim. The Prophet ﷺ recited it in prayer. The wording is found in Sahih al-Bukhari, nos. 832 and 2397, and Sahih Muslim, no. 589.

TRANSLATION

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and debt.”

This is an excerpt from the Prophet’s ﷺ supplication in ‘A’ishah’s narration, rather than the entire longer hadith.

NARRATOR

‘A’ishah bint Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her)

SOURCES AND SCHOLARS

Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani — Fath al-Bari, 2/371–372 and 11/180–181.

Al-Muhallab — his commentary is quoted by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari, commentary on Sahih al-Bukhari, no. 2397, in the chapter on seeking refuge from debt.

Ibn al-Munayyir — his commentary is quoted by Ibn Hajar in the same passage.

SCHOLARLY COMMENTARY

1. Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani

In Fath al-Bari, 11/180–181, he explains that al-ma’tham concerns sin and al-maghram is a liability to be paid, such as debt. In 2/371–372, he explains that lying and broken promises are frequent consequences of debt, rather than a judgement against every debtor. Open the hadith commentary ↗ · Open the commentary on the prayer narration ↗

2. Al-Muhallab, as quoted by Ibn Hajar

In his commentary on hadith no. 2397, Ibn Hajar quotes al-Muhallab’s lesson of sadd al-dhara’i‘: blocking paths to harm, since debt may lead to lying and broken promises. Open the cited commentary ↗

3. Ibn al-Munayyir, as quoted by Ibn Hajar

In the same passage, Ibn Hajar quotes Ibn al-Munayyir’s explanation that seeking refuge from debt is compatible with permissible borrowing. Protection is sought from its harmful consequences. Open the cited commentary ↗

EXPLANATION

1. Source and grading

The hadith is sahih and muttafaq ‘alayh: narrated by both al-Bukhari and Muslim from ‘A’ishah. Al-Bukhari, no. 2397, contains the short supplication asked about; no. 832 and Muslim, no. 589, give a longer supplication. Open the hadith text ↗ · Open the Muslim narration ↗

2. Why seek refuge from debt?

When asked why he frequently sought protection from debt, the Prophet ﷺ explained:

إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ إِذَا غَرِمَ حَدَّثَ فَكَذَبَ، وَوَعَدَ فَأَخْلَفَ.

Meaning: “When a person incurs debt, he speaks and lies, and makes promises and breaks them.” This warns against harms that may follow debt; it does not excuse lying. Open the hadith text ↗

3. Recited in prayer

‘A’ishah reports that the Prophet ﷺ recited this supplication in prayer. Al-Bukhari places no. 832 in the chapter on supplication before the taslim. It may be recited before concluding the prayer; this narration specifies no fixed number of repetitions. Open the hadith text ↗

4. Lessons from the scholars’ commentaries

Al-Muhallab’s explanation encourages avoiding paths to lying and broken promises. As Ibn al-Munayyir explains in Ibn Hajar’s quotation, this supplication does not prohibit every loan. Recite it while maintaining honesty and commitments to repay. Open the cited commentary ↗