Library Ethics Greater Sins Chapter 28 Usurping the Rights of Others or ... The Incapable Debtor Must be given Respite
The Incapable Debtor Must be given Respite
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The Incapable Debtor Must be given Respite
Although it is allowed for a debtor to sell off his unnecessary belongings to repay his debts, the creditor is under divine obligation not to cause undue trouble. The creditor should give respite so that the loanee can easily repay the dues. Under these conditions if he condones his loan altogether, it will be considered a Sadaqah which will remain with Allah (S.w.T.) as his trust and he will continue to benefit from it forever.
The Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an:
“And if (the debtor) is in straitness, then let there be postponement until (he is in) ease, and that you remit (it) as alms is better for you, if you knew.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:280)
Two important points can be derived from the Qur’anic verse quoted above. One, it is obligatory to give respite to a debtor who is incapable of repaying the loan. Secondly, it is more meritorious for the creditor to condone the loan completely.
Numerous traditions have mentioned these two points.
The Holy Prophet (S) has said:
“Your debtor is not permitted to delay in repaying the loan if he is capable to pay it. In the same way you are not permitted to pressurise him unduly when you know that he is not in a position to repay you immediately.”
(Wasa’il ul-Shia)
The honourable Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) has been recorded to have said:
“Do not harass your Muslim brother with a demand to the repayment of debt when you know that he is not able to repay it. Because our exalted grandfather the Messenger of Allah has said that it is not permitted for a Muslim to harass his Muslim brother. And if a creditor gives respite to a loanee he shall become qualified to receive the shade (and protection) of the Almighty on the day when there will be no other shade.”
(Wasa’il ul-Shia)
It means that on the Day of Judgement such a person will receive special favours from the Almighty. The Masūm (a.s.) has also remarked:
“If one wishes that he be given refuge under Divine shade on the day when there will be no other shade, he should grant respite to his debtor and must not demand it (immediately), or should condone his loan completely.”
(Wasa’il ul-Shia)
Hazrat Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) has said:
“There would be some people under the shade of the Arsh on the Day of QiyÄma such that their faces will be bright, their dresses and their chairs shall be glittering. Then an announcer will call: These are the people who did good towards the believers and gave respite to the incapable debtor till the time he could repay the debt.”
(Wasa’il ul-Shia)
