22/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1558a — Remitting Half a Debt
It is recommended to waive debts
Remitting Half a Debt in Hadith
Sahih Muslim : 1558a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1558a
حَدَّثَنَا حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّهُ تَقَاضَى ابْنَ أَبِي حَدْرَدٍ دَيْنًا كَانَ لَهُ عَلَيْهِ فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْمَسْجِدِ فَارْتَفَعَتْ أَصْوَاتُهُمَا حَتَّى سَمِعَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ فِي بَيْتِهِ فَخَرَجَ إِلَيْهِمَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَتَّى كَشَفَ سِجْفَ حُجْرَتِهِ وَنَادَى كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ فَقَالَ " يَا كَعْبُ " . فَقَالَ لَبَّيْكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ بِيَدِهِ أَنْ ضَعِ الشَّطْرَ مِنْ دَيْنِكَ . قَالَ كَعْبٌ قَدْ فَعَلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " قُمْ فَاقْضِهِ " .
'Abdullah bin Ka'b bin Malik Narrated from:
Abdullah b. Ka'ab b. Malik reported from his father that he pressed in the mosque Ibn Abu Hadrad for the payment of the debt that he owed to him during the lifetime of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). (In this altercation) their voices became loud, until Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) heard them, while he was in the house, so Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) came out towards them, and he lifted the curtain of his apartment and he called upon Ka'b b. Malik and said: O Ka'b.He said: At thy beck and call, Allah's Messenger. He pointed out with the help of his hand to remit half of the loan due to him. Ka'b said: Allah's Messenger, I am ready to do that, whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said (to Ibn Abu Hadrad): Stand up and make him the payment (of the rest).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1558aIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 23USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3780
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1558a
This hadith about remitting half a debt describes a dispute in the mosque between Ka'b b. Malik and Ibn Abu Hadrad. Their voices became loud while Ka'b was pressing for payment of a debt owed to him. Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) heard them from his house, came out, and called Ka'b. He then gestured with his hand for Ka'b to remit half of the loan. Ka'b agreed. Then Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told Ibn Abu Hadrad to stand and pay the rest. The teaching balances mercy and responsibility. The creditor reduced the debt, and the debtor was still told to pay what remained.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) guided the creditor toward remission.
- Ka'b agreed to reduce half of the debt.
- The debtor was still told to pay the remaining amount.
- The report shows both leniency and repayment responsibility.
