22/22. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1601a — The Right to Ask for Repayment
It is permissible to lend animals and it is recommended to pay in full, giving something better than that which ts owed
Hadith About Paying Debts: The Creditor Has a Right to Speak
Sahih Muslim : 1601a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1601a
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ الْعَبْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ كَانَ لِرَجُلٍ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حَقٌّ فَأَغْلَظَ لَهُ فَهَمَّ بِهِ أَصْحَابُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ لِصَاحِبِ الْحَقِّ مَقَالاً - فَقَالَ لَهُمُ - اشْتَرُوا لَهُ سِنًّا فَأَعْطُوهُ إِيَّاهُ " . فَقَالُوا إِنَّا لاَ نَجِدُ إِلاَّ سِنًّا هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنْ سِنِّهِ . قَالَ " فَاشْتَرُوهُ فَأَعْطُوهُ إِيَّاهُ فَإِنَّ مِنْ خَيْرِكُمْ - أَوْ خَيْرَكُمْ - أَحْسَنُكُمْ قَضَاءً " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) owed (something) to a person. He behaved in an uncivil manner with him. This vexed the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), whereupon Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) said: He who has a right is entitled to speak, and said to them (his Companions): Buy a camel for him and give that to him. They said: We do not find a camel (of that age) but one with better age than that. He said: Buy that and give that to him, for best of you or best amongst you are those who are best in paying off debt.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1601aIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 149USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3898
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1601a
This hadith about paying debts shows two lessons in one scene. A man had a right over Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم and spoke in an uncivil way while asking for it. The Companions felt upset, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that the one who has a right is entitled to speak. He then told them to buy a camel and give it to the man. When they found only a camel better in age, he told them to buy it and give it. He then said that the best of you, or among the best of you, are those who are best in paying off debt. The narration teaches respect for the right of the creditor and good conduct when clearing a debt.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person who has a right may ask for it.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم responded with patience when the creditor spoke harshly.
- Good debt repayment is praised in the report.
