22/22. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1601c — Give the Creditor His Right
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: Give What Is Owed Properly
Sahih Muslim : 1601c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1601c
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ يَتَقَاضَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعِيرًا فَقَالَ " أَعْطُوهُ سِنًّا فَوْقَ سِنِّهِ - وَقَالَ - خَيْرُكُمْ أَحْسَنُكُمْ قَضَاءً " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
There came a person demanding a camel from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Give him (the camel) of that age or of more mature age, and said: Best among you is one who is best in clearing off the debt.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1601cIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 151USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3900
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1601c
This hadith about debt repayment in Islam tells of a person who came asking Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم for a camel. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم told others to give him a camel of that age or one more mature. He then said that the best among you is the one who is best in clearing off debt. The wording is direct and easy to understand. It keeps the focus on the creditor’s right and on the quality of the repayment. The text does not speak about long debates or excuses. It shows a quick move to settle what was owed, and it praises doing that in a good way. This is why the hadith is often searched as the best in paying debt hadith.
What we learn from this hadith
- The owed right should be settled when it is demanded.
- Giving the same age or a better age was allowed in this report.
- The Hadith links good repayment with being among the best in conduct.
