Once, while we were sitting in the company of Prophet, a dead man was brought. The Prophet (ﷺ) was requested to lead the funeral prayer for the deceased. He said, "Is he in debt?" The people replied in the negative. He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, "No." So, he led his funeral prayer. Another dead man was brought and the people said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Lead his funeral prayer." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Is he in debt?" They said, "Yes." He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, ''Three Dinars." So, he led the prayer. Then a third dead man was brought and the people said (to the Prophet (ﷺ) ), Please lead his funeral prayer." He said, "Has he left any wealth?" They said, "No." He asked, "Is he in debt?" They said, ("Yes! He has to pay) three Diners.', He (refused to pray and) said, "Then pray for your (dead) companion." Abu Qatada said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Lead his funeral prayer, and I will pay his debt." So, he led the prayer.
Transference of a Debt from One Person to Another (Al-Hawaala)
Sahih al-Bukhari - Hadith 2289
Narration Context
This hadith occurs during a gathering with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) where three deceased individuals are presented for funeral prayers, demonstrating the Islamic ruling regarding debt obligations and their impact on funeral rites.
Scholarly Commentary
The first deceased had no debt and no wealth - the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed over him, as there were no financial obligations preventing the prayer.
The second deceased had debt but left sufficient wealth (three dinars) to cover it - the Prophet (ﷺ) prayed over him because the debt could be settled from his estate.
The third deceased had debt but left no wealth - the Prophet (ﷺ) refused to pray until Abu Qatada assumed responsibility for the debt, illustrating that debt transfers (hawaala) are permissible when someone voluntarily undertakes another's obligation.
Legal Rulings Derived
Debt constitutes a serious obligation in Islam that must be settled before funeral prayers can be offered.
If the deceased leaves sufficient wealth, debts must be paid from the estate before inheritance distribution.
A third party may voluntarily assume another's debt obligation, making the transfer legally valid.
The Prophet's refusal to pray for the indebted demonstrates the gravity of financial obligations in Islamic law.
Spiritual Significance
This hadith emphasizes the Islamic principle that financial rights (huquq al-'ibad) take precedence in settlement, as they involve other people's rights that cannot be forgiven without proper resolution.
The incident shows the compassion of the companions, as Abu Qatada's assumption of debt enabled the deceased to receive proper funeral rites.