Riyad as-Salihin, 1367

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

A man demanded of the Prophet (ﷺ) for repayment of a loan and was harsh to him. His Companions were about to attack him, but he (ﷺ) said, "Leave him, as the creditor is entitled to make a demand. Give him a camel of the same age as the camel that is due to him." They said: "We find a better camel senior to it in age." He (ﷺ) said, "Then buy it and give it to him; verily the best of you is the one who is the best in discharging his obligations (repayment of loans)." [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رجلا أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يتقاضاه فأغلظ له فهم به أصحابه، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏"‏دعوه فإن لصاحب الحق مقالا‏"‏ ثم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أعطوه سنا مثل سنه‏"‏ قالوا‏:‏ يا رسول الله لا نجد إلا أمثل من سنه، قال‏:‏ ‏"‏أعطوه فإن خيركم أحسنكم قضاء‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 11, Hadith 83

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadith: 1) It shows how the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) dealt kindly with the creditor and bore his harsh treatment, for the creditor is entitled to claim his dues. 2) The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) guided us to be benevolent towards the creditor as we repay his debt. If a debtor gives more than the due debt, without this being subject to a precondition, this is regarded as a good settlement of debts. 3) The proper ethics in dealing with others, especially the ill-mannered, is to bear their harm patiently. So, a Muslim preacher should endure people’s harm with patience.

Related hadiths12