Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him): He says, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) sent me to Haliq Nasrani so that he might send some clothes to you (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) on credit until an easy time. So I went to him and said: The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) has sent me to you so that you may send some clothes to him on credit until an easy time. But he (mockingly) said: What is an easy time and when does it come? By Allah! Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) has neither a goat nor a camel. (Hearing this) I returned and reached the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). When he (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) saw me, he said: This enemy of Allah is lying, I am the best in dealings, (but remember that) if a man wears a garment made of different patches, it is better for him than to acquire something because of his trust that he does not possess.
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / كتاب السلم كتاب القرض والدين / 6022
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«اسناده صحيح علي شرط البخاري۔ أخرجه الترمذي: 1213، والنسائي: 7/ 294 ، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 25141 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 25656»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … The meaning of the last part of the blessed hadith is that a servant should make do with the minimum of things, but should not take a loan relying on his trustworthiness (amanah), because it is possible that later circumstances may not be favorable and the repayment of the loan may be delayed, or death itself may not give the opportunity. In the first case, the quality of trustworthiness (amanah) will be affected, and in the second case, the matter of the Hereafter will be put at risk.