Repaying debt more important than marriage unless temptation feared

8-11-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

If a person owes a loan, but at present he cannot pay it off, and he intends to pay it off as soon as he gets a job. Should this person get married and discuss this in the meeting? Or leave marriage till depts are paid of?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If this man fears incurring harm to himself or falling into Fitnah (temptation) if he does not get married, then it is incumbent on him to get married in order to preserve his chastity and shield himself from sin.

However, if he does not fear for himself and his religiosity if he delayed his marriage, and he is unable to repay his debts and get married at the same time, and the creditor refuses to extend the repayment date, then it is incumbent on him to repay the debt or part of it according to his ability. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Delay in payment by a rich man is transgression.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 11179, 82010 and 232207.

He should not involve the family of the girl he is going to marry in this matter, as that will probably be of no benefit. But if he believes that it would be beneficial for him somehow, there is no harm in that.

Allaah Knows best.