22/22. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1600b — Good Servants Pay Debts Well
It is permissible to lend animals and it is recommended to pay in full, giving something better than that which ts owed
Debt Repayment in Islam: A Sign of Good Character
Sahih Muslim : 1600b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1600b
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، سَمِعْتُ زَيْدَ بْنَ أَسْلَمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَطَاءُ بْنُ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي رَافِعٍ، مَوْلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ اسْتَسْلَفَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَكْرًا . بِمِثْلِهِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ " فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ عِبَادِ اللَّهِ أَحْسَنُهُمْ قَضَاءً " .
Abu Rafi' Narrated from:
Abu Rafi', the freed slave of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), said: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) took as a loan (the rest of the hadith is the same), but with this variation that he (the Holy Prophet) said: Good amongst the servants of Allah is he who is best in paying off the debt.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1600bIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 148USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3897
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1600b
This narration gives the same main lesson as the previous report: debt repayment in Islam should be handled with honesty and good manners. Abu Rafi‘, the freed slave of Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم, reports that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم took a young camel as a loan. The report then follows the same event, but the wording at the end is slightly different. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that good among the servants of Allah is the one who is best in paying off the debt. This wording keeps the focus on conduct. It does not praise delay or harshness. It praises clearing what is owed in a good way. For someone searching for the best in paying debt hadith, this report gives a clear and practical message.
What we learn from this hadith
- A borrowed item remains a right that should be returned.
- Repaying debt well is described as a quality of good servants of Allah.
- Small wording differences in narrations should be kept clear.
