02/08/2025
*Abstaining from Debt and Trust in Allah: A Profound Lesson from Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him)*
There is a famous incident about Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) that once his clothes were stolen, and he couldn't leave his house for several days. When a friend offered him money as a loan, the Imam firmly refused. Instead of taking the loan, he did writing work for his friend and bought new clothes with the wages he earned.
*So why did Imam Ahmad refuse to take a loan despite his need?*
This wasn't just an isolated incident, but a sign of his profound philosophy and unwavering faith in Allah. His action was based on a few key principles:
1. *Complete Tawakkul (Reliance on Allah)*: He believed that the sole provider of sustenance is Allah alone. When the True Owner is capable of giving, asking from creation goes against the highest level of reliance (tawakkul). He would present his needs directly to Allah.
2. Self-Respect and Dignity ('Iffah): He did not like to become a burden on anyone or be indebted to them. His life was a practical interpretation of the Qur'anic verse that praises patient people who do not ask from others. Debt can harm a person's self-respect, and the Imam was very sensitive in this matter.
3. Piety and Scrupulousness (Wara'): A loan is a heavy responsibility. There is the fear of being unable to repay it, the risk of breaking a promise, and the potential for relationships to sour. The Imam would avoid even doubtful or seemingly permissible matters if they could distract him from the remembrance of Allah.
4. The Nobility of Earning with One's Own Hands: He considered earning through hard work—no matter how little—to be a thousand times better than accepting aid or a loan. That is why, instead of taking the loan, he did writing work for his friend and bought new clothes with the wages he earned.
It is important to understand that Imam Ahmad did not declare borrowing as forbidden (haram). Rather, this was his personal, highest standard of piety and reliance on Allah. His life teaches us to first turn to Allah for our needs, don’t be a burden on others, avoid indebtedness, and to trust in our own hard work.