✿ Written by: Saudi Fatwa Committee (Fatāwā)
❖ The Sharʿī Concept of Dayn, Qarḍ, and Salam
In the terminology of Islamic jurists (fuqahāʾ), the term dayn (debt) refers to:
Anything that becomes an obligation upon someone, whether due to:
- A loan (qarḍ)
- The price of a sold item
- Unpaid rent
- Or any other financial obligation
In essence, any amount or liability that becomes obligatory and due upon a person is categorized as dayn.
Thus, according to scholars:
- Qarḍ (loan) and
- Salam (advance payment sale)
are both considered subtypes of dayn.
❖ Common Understanding of Dayn
In general usage among the public, dayn is often understood as:
- Selling an item on credit at a higher price than the cash price, so that the buyer can resell it and benefit from the proceeds.
However, this popular definition differs from the technical Sharʿī definition.
❖ Sharʿī Definition in Summary
From the Islamic legal perspective, dayn refers to:
- Anything that becomes a binding obligation on someone, whether due to:
① A sale on credit
② A loan
③ A forward sale (salam)
④ Or any other form of deferred payment
Such an amount remains owed and must be repaid, and it is not limited to just monetary loans.
Reference:
Ibn ʿUthaymīn – Nūr ʿalā ad-Darb, 15/27
