14/68. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1308 — Delaying Debt Is Oppression
What Has Been Related About The Rich Person's Procrastination (Paying Debt) Is Oppression
Debt Payment Hadith: Delay by the Rich Is Oppression
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 1308
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 1308
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَطْلُ الْغَنِيِّ ظُلْمٌ وَإِذَا أُتْبِعَ أَحَدُكُمْ عَلَى مَلِيٍّ فَلْيَتْبَعْ " . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ وَالشَّرِيدِ بْنِ سُوَيْدٍ الثَّقَفِيِّ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) Said: "Procrastination (In Paying A Debt) By A Rich Person Is Oppression. So If Your Debt Is Transferred From Your Debtor To A Rich Debtor, You Should Agree." He Said: There Are Narrations On This Topic From Ibn 'Umar, And Ash-Sharid Bin Suwaid Ath-Thaqafi.
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1308In-book reference : Book 14, Hadith 111English translation : Vol. 1, Book 12, Hadith 1308
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 1308
This debt payment hadith gives a clear warning. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that procrastination in paying a debt by a rich person is oppression. This means the hadith is not speaking about someone who truly cannot pay. It is speaking about a person who has the means but still delays what is due. The hadith also says that if a debt is transferred from the original debtor to a rich debtor, the creditor should agree. The main teaching is fairness with financial rights. A person who can pay should not use delay as a way to hurt, pressure, or trouble the one who is owed.
What we learn from this hadith
- A rich person delaying debt payment is called oppression in the hadith.
- The warning applies to someone who has the ability to pay.
- The hadith accepts debt transfer to a rich debtor.
- Financial rights should not be held back without reason.
