Delaying Debt Repayment by a Wealthy Person is Oppression

Source: Urdu Commentary of ‘Umdat al-Ahkam from the Sayings of the Best of Mankind
Translation by: Hafiz Faizullah Nasir

✿ Hadith​

Narrated by: Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه)

The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“Delaying payment by a wealthy person is oppression. So, if any one of you is referred to a capable person, let him accept the referral.”

✿ Explanation of Vocabulary​

مليء (Maliyy):
A person who possesses sufficient wealth and has the ability to repay the debt.

✿ Explanation of the Hadith​

✔ The Hadith highlights that if a debtor is financially capable but intentionally delays repayment, such behavior is deemed oppressive and unjust.

✔ If a debtor refers the creditor to another wealthy person to receive repayment—by saying, for example, “So-and-so will pay on my behalf,” or “Go and collect your debt from him”—then the creditor is encouraged to accept this arrangement, rather than persistently demanding repayment from the original debtor.

✔ However, if the creditor suspects deception or doubts the financial capability of the referred person, he has the right to refuse such a referral.

Hadith Reference:
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Hawalah (Transfer of Debt), Chapter: Hawalah and Whether One Can Return from It, Hadith: 2287
Sahih Muslim (without Hadith number mentioned)
 
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