The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُتَوَكِّلِ الْعَسْقَلاَنِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ يُصَلِّي عَلَى رَجُلٍ مَاتَ وَعَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَأُتِيَ بِمَيِّتٍ فَقَالَ " أَعَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ " . قَالُوا نَعَمْ دِينَارَانِ . قَالَ " صَلُّوا عَلَى صَاحِبِكُمْ " . فَقَالَ أَبُو قَتَادَةَ الأَنْصَارِيُّ هُمَا عَلَىَّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلَمَّا فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَنَا أَوْلَى بِكُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ مِنْ نَفْسِهِ فَمَنْ تَرَكَ دَيْنًا فَعَلَىَّ قَضَاؤُهُ وَمَنْ تَرَكَ مَالاً فَلِوَرَثَتِهِ " .
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) would not say funeral prayer over a person who died while the debt was due from him. A dead Muslim was brought to him and he asked: Is there any debt due from him? They (the people) said: Yes, two dirhams. He said: Pray yourselves over your companion.
Then AbuQatadah al-Ansari said: I shall pay them, Messenger of Allah. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then prayed over him.
When Allah granted conquests to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), he said: I am nearer to every believer than himself, so if anyone (dies and) leaves a debt, I shall be responsible for paying it; and if anyone leaves property, it goes to his heirs.
Narrated by Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) refrained from performing the funeral prayer for a deceased individual who had outstanding debts. After confirming the debts, he allowed the prayer only when Abu Qatadah offered to pay them. This highlights the significance of financial responsibilities and the ethical implications of debt.
Modern Application
This principle is relevant today as it underscores the importance of managing debts responsibly. Individuals are encouraged to settle their obligations to ensure peace of mind for themselves and their families.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Contracts & Agreements and Economic Justice because it addresses the ethical responsibilities surrounding debts and the importance of fulfilling financial obligations.
And do not pray [the funeral prayer, O Muhammad], over any of them who has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger and died while they were defiantly disobedient.
سُورَةُ الوَاقِعَةِ
Al-Waaqia (The Inevitable)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
فَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ
And if the deceased was of those brought near to Allah,
O you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest - [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt [their testimony, saying], "We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah. Indeed, we would then be of the sinful."
The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and, when they are [meeting] with him for a matter of common interest, do not depart until they have asked his permission. Indeed, those who ask your permission, [O Muhammad] - those are the ones who believe in Allah and His Messenger. So when they ask your permission for something of their affairs, then give permission to whom you will among them and ask forgiveness for them of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
And never is it for a believer to kill a believer except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by mistake - then the freeing of a believing slave and a compensation payment presented to the deceased's family [is required] unless they give [up their right as] charity. But if the deceased was from a people at war with you and he was a believer - then [only] the freeing of a believing slave; and if he was from a people with whom you have a treaty - then a compensation payment presented to his family and the freeing of a believing slave. And whoever does not find [one or cannot afford to buy one] - then [instead], a fast for two months consecutively, [seeking] acceptance of repentance from Allah. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
This hadith is #3344 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Commercial Transactions (Kitab Al-Buyu). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah:.