The following dua is beneficial in removing financial distress like debt.
نْ عَلِيٍّ، رضى الله عنه أَنَّ مُكَاتَبًا، جَاءَهُ فَقَالَ إِنِّي قَدْ عَجَزْتُ عَنْ كِتَابَتِي فَأَعِنِّي . قَالَ أَلاَ أُعَلِّمُكَ كَلِمَاتٍ عَلَّمَنِيهِنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَوْ كَانَ عَلَيْكَ مِثْلُ جَبَلِ صِيرٍ دَيْنًا أَدَّاهُ اللَّهُ عَنْكَ قَالَ “ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلاَلِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ
Ali [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that a Mukatib [slave seeking freedom from his master] came to him and said: “Indeed I am not capable of my Kitabah [freedom] so aid me.” He said: “Should I not teach you words that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me? If you had a debt upon you similar to the mountain of Sir, Allah would fulfill it for you. He said: ‘Say: O Allah, suffice me with Your lawful against Your prohibited, and make me independent of all those besides You
[Saheeh Tirmidhi no. 3563]
Imam Mubaraakfoori rahimahullah said:
قال الطيبي طلب المكاتب المال فعلمه الدعاء إما لأنه لم يكن عنده من المال ليعينه فرده أحسن رد عملا بقوله تعالى قول معروف ومغفرة خير أو أرشده إشارة إلى أن الأولى والأصلح له أن يستعين بالله لأدائها ولا يتكل على الغير ، وينصر هذا الوجه قوله ” وأغنني بفضلك عمن سواك
“Tiybi said: the slave seeking freedom asked for money and Ali taught him a dua either because he did not have money to assist him. So he replied with the best reply, acting upon the statement of Exalted:
Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity)
[2:263].
Or, he directed him to what is more deserving and better for him, which is to seek the assistance of Allah in paying it and not to rely on the others. This statement is supported by his sallahu alayhi wa salam’s statement: And make me independent of all those besides You”
[Tuhfatul Ahwadhi]
Also, a person should dua to Allah for employment and relief from financial distress.
If one is not able to find employment, then it is allowed for them to take government aid given to the unemployed.
Shaikh Muqbil ibn Hadi al-Waadi’ee rahimahullah was asked:
Question:
Is it allowed for us to take the money given by the British government, like assistance or welfare and this is for those who are unemployed?
Answer:
There is no harm in that. You are an individual from the individuals of society and you have the right to their wealth. Next, it is wealth that they use to power the war against Islam and the Muslims. So there is no harm in that inshallah.
[Ghaartul-Ashritah (2/186)]
Shaikh Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbad hafidhuhallah was asked:
Question:
I am a Muslim residing in France and the French government gives benefits to its residents, like a family benefit or benefit for the unemployed and other than then. Is it allowed for us to take these benefits?
Answer:
If a person is in need, then it is allowed to take it
[Sharh Sunan Abi Dawood no. 272]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
