49/29. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5418 — Pay Debt and Support Family
The Ruler Preventing His Flock From Wasting Their Wealth When They Have Need Of It
Hadith About Paying Debt and Spending on Dependents
Sunan an-Nasai : 5418
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5418
أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى بْنُ وَاصِلِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَاضِرُ بْنُ الْمُوَرِّعِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ بْنِ كُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَعْتَقَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ غُلاَمًا لَهُ عَنْ دُبُرٍ وَكَانَ مُحْتَاجًا وَكَانَ عَلَيْهِ دَيْنٌ فَبَاعَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِثَمَانِمِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ فَأَعْطَاهُ فَقَالَ " اقْضِ دَيْنَكَ وَأَنْفِقْ عَلَى عِيَالِكَ " .
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
A man among the Ansar stated that his slave was to be set free after he died; he was in need, and he owed a debt. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] sold him (the slave) for eight hundred Dirhams, and he gave (the money) to him and said: 'Pay off your debt and spend on your dependents.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5418In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 40English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5420
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5418
This hadith about paying debt reports that a man from the Ansar stated his slave would be freed after his death, while he was in need and had a debt. The Messenger of Allah SAW sold the slave for eight hundred dirhams, gave the money to the man, and told him to pay his debt and spend on his dependents. The hadith focuses on practical responsibility. A person may want to do a good act, but the text shows that existing debt and the needs of one's family were addressed first in this case. The Prophet SAW directed the man toward paying what he owed and caring for those under his care.
What we learn from this hadith
- Debt should be taken seriously and paid when possible.
- Dependents have a claim on a person's spending.
- A planned act of freeing was handled in light of need and debt.
- The Prophet SAW gave a practical solution to the man's financial problem.
