Leaving country without paying debts

26-7-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have the debt on me in UK around £12000 and unable to pay it what should I do? I am very afraid of Azab Al Akhirah
Please. Help me

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

It is an obligation on a person to repay his loan to the creditor whether it is an organization or a person. It is forbidden for that person to reduce the loans he owes othsers. Allah says: "Verily! Allâh commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due;" (An-Nisa 4:58)

The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "whoever takes people's property with the intention of paying it back to them, Allah will instead of him pay it and whoever takes it with the intention of destroying it, Allah will destroy it." (Al-Bukhari)

But taking loans with Riba is forbidden as it is forbidden to give more than what he had already taken. He has to pay the amount he took. Allah says: "if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly (by asking more than your capital sums), and you shall not be dealt with unjustly (by receiving less than your capital sums)." (Al-Baqarah 2:279)

Therefore, dear brother, you have to pay the original amount that you have taken from the bank. If you can escape from paying the interest then it is allowed for you. After paying the loans you may go back to your country. However, if a creditor gives up his whole right or part of it then one is no longer responsible for the given up loan.

If the only means to avoid paying interest after paying the original amount due is by leaving the country you may do so.

Allah knows best.