Hadith Text & Context

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 Abu Qatadah 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.

Scholarly Commentary

This hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud 3343 establishes the gravity of financial obligations in Islam. The Prophet's refusal to pray over indebted deceased demonstrates that unresolved debts create a spiritual barrier requiring settlement before divine mercy can be fully sought.

The two dirhams - though small - represent the principle that no debt is insignificant before Allah. Abu Qatadah's intervention exemplifies the communal responsibility Muslims bear toward one another's spiritual welfare, making this a collective religious duty (fard kifayah).

Legal Rulings (Ahkam)

Scholars derive that debts take precedence over inheritance distribution - creditors must be satisfied before heirs receive their shares. The final portion indicates the Islamic state's responsibility toward indebted deceased when no heirs exist, establishing the Bayt al-Mal (public treasury) as the ultimate guarantor.

This ruling applies specifically to obligatory prayers (like funeral prayer) while recommended prayers may still be offered. The prohibition serves as exhortation rather than absolute restriction, as evidenced by the Prophet praying after debt assumption.

Spiritual Dimensions

The hadith teaches that financial integrity forms part of one's spiritual record. Unfulfilled worldly obligations may hinder the soul's journey in the hereafter. The Prophet's statement "I am nearer to every believer" illustrates the comprehensive nature of Islamic brotherhood, encompassing both spiritual and material welfare.

This tradition emphasizes that true piety includes honest financial dealings, making economic justice inseparable from worship. The Muslim community functions as an integrated body where members assume responsibility for one another's shortcomings.