Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: Granting respite and delay to an insolvent (mu‘sir) debtor means that you should allow him to repay when he is able to do so with ease and convenience; or to recover the debt from him through easier installments. As for showing leniency or forbearance towards a solvent (musr) debtor, the purpose is that one should not adopt a harsh or severe attitude in recovering the debt from him; even if he has the ability to pay immediately or the appointed time has arrived, to grant him a day or two of grace; if there is some deficiency or shortfall in the amount, to overlook it; and to forgo the demand for full repayment.

Hadith Commentary:

That is, even if the debtor is wealthy, one should not be harsh with him; if he requests respite, then respite should be granted.

There is a difference of opinion regarding the definition of a wealthy person. Some have said that it is one who possesses enough for his own and his family's expenses.

Sufyan al-Thawri, Ibn al-Mubarak, Imam Ahmad, and Ishaq said: one who possesses fifty dirhams.

And Imam al-Shafi'i said that no fixed limit can be set for this.

Sometimes, a person who has only one dirham may be considered wealthy if it is surplus to his needs, and at other times, a person may possess a thousand yet still be destitute if his expenses are great, he has many dependents, and remains in debt.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Even if the debtor is wealthy, one should still deal with him in a forbearing manner. He should not be treated harshly. If he requests further respite, he should be granted it cheerfully.

(2)
Who is considered wealthy? There is a difference of opinion regarding its definition. However, in view of circumstances and situations, sometimes a person becomes self-sufficient by earning a single dirham, and at other times, even while possessing a thousand dirhams, he remains needy because he has many dependents.

(3)
From this hadith, it is understood that Allah, the Exalted, is extremely merciful. In exchange for a small good deed, He forgives even a great sinner, because when a person performs a good deed with a sincere intention, by Allah’s mercy, he does not remain at a loss.

(4)
Some people think that granting respite to a wealthy person is tantamount to supporting his wrongdoing, and that there is no hope of reward in this. However, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has refuted this position and established that there is reward in granting respite to a wealthy person as well. In any case, in common understanding, whoever is considered wealthy should also be treated with kindness and good conduct.

(5)
At the end of the hadith, regarding (قال فتجا وزواعنه), we have translated it as: “They also showed leniency towards him.” This word has two forms: If it is (فتجا وزواعنه) and is in the past tense, then its meaning will be as we have rendered, i.e., the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “The angels showed leniency towards him.” And if (فتجا وزواعنه) is in the imperative form, then the meaning will be: Allah, the Exalted, said to the angels: “You also show leniency towards him.” The second meaning is supported by Sahih Muslim and others. (Sahih Muslim, al-Musaqat, Hadith: 3993(1560))

Benefits and Issues:
➊ Gentleness in transactions is greatly beloved to Allah Ta'ala.

➋ After death, in addition to the three well-known questions (Who is your Lord? Who is your Prophet? What is your religion?), questions are also asked regarding certain other matters.

➌ Overlooking a defect in a coin means that he would ignore minor flaws in the coin, whereas ordinary people would refuse to accept the coin for this reason—just as nowadays people refuse to accept a worn-out coin or a torn note.

➍ Good character holds great value in the sight of Allah.

➎ Granting additional time to a debtor for repayment of a debt is a great act of virtue.

➏ Sometimes a good deed may seem insignificant in a person’s eyes, but it becomes a means of forgiveness; therefore, one should pay full attention even to small good deeds.