Dayn
دين
Pronunciation: DAYN
Debt: a fixed obligation owed by one party to another, which Islamic law protects but forbids trading for profit.
Definition
A debt or financial obligation owed by one person to another, whether from a loan, a deferred-price sale, or damages. Islamic law treats dayn seriously in both directions: the Qur'an requires debts to be written down and witnessed (2:282), the Prophet declined to pray over a man who died in unpaid debt, and creditors are commanded to grant time to debtors in hardship (2:280).
Because dayn is money owed, it cannot be sold at a discount or increased for delay (that would be riba), and zakat rules treat debts owed to you as assets and debts you owe as deductions.
Related Terms
Qard Hasanقرض حسن
A benevolent, interest-free loan where only the principal is repaid - the only fully permissible loan in Islam.
Bay' al-Daynبيع الدين
Sale of debt: trading a receivable for cash, permitted only at face value by most scholars.
Hawalahحوالة
Transfer of a debt from one debtor to another, and the basis of informal and formal remittance systems.
Riba al-Nasi'ahربا النسيئة
Riba of delay: any increase charged for time on a debt, which is what modern interest is.
Arbunعربون
A non-refundable down payment or earnest money to secure a purchase.
Bai' al-Inahبيع العينة
A sale-and-buyback arrangement used to generate cash flow.
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Dayn (دين) - Debt: a fixed obligation owed by one party to another, which Islamic law protects but forbids trading for profit. A debt or financial obligation owed by one person to another, whether from a loan, a deferred-price sale, or damages. Islamic law treats dayn seriously in both directions: the Qur'an requires debts to be written down and witnessed (2:282), the Prophet declined to pray over a man who died in unpaid debt, and creditors are commanded to grant time to debtors in hardship (2:280).
- Debt: a fixed obligation owed by one party to another, which Islamic law protects but forbids trading for profit.
- Category: Contracts
- Related: Qard Hasan, Bay' al-Dayn, Hawalah, Riba al-Nasi'ah, Arbun, Bai' al-Inah
- Compare related Shariah-compliant products on HalalWallet
Source: HalalWallet (halalwallet.ca)
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Reviewed by: HalalWallet Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 2026-10-01
Editorial Team, HalalWallet
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