Gardens of the Righteous — Page 231
RIYADH AS-SALIHIN 239. . On the Excellence of Fair Dealing. Allah, the Exalted, has said: 303. . Whatever of good you do, Allah knows it well (2. 216). 304. O my people, give full measure and full weight with justice and do not defraud people by making short delivery (11. 86). 305. Woe unto those who give short measure; those who, when they take by measure from other people take it full; but when they give by measure to others or weigh out to them give them less. Do not such people know that they will be raised up again unto a terrible day, the day when mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds? (83. 2-7). 231 1372. Abu Hurairah relates that a man came to the Holy Prophet and was harsh in demanding the repayment of his loan. The companions were about to take hold of him when the Holy Prophet said: Leave him alone, for one to whom an obligation is due is entitled to make a demand and he added: Give him a camel of the same age as the camel that is due to him. He was told that only a better camel than the one due to the creditor was available. The Holy Prophet said: Give him the better one for the best of you are those who discharge their obligations best (Bokhari and Muslim). 1373. Jabir relates that the Holy Prophet said: Allah will have mercy on a man who is easy when he sells and when he buys and when he demands the discharge of an obligation due to him (Bokhari). 1374. Abu Qatadah relates that he heard the Holy Prophet say: He who desires that Allah should deliver him from the discomfort of the Day of Judgment should grant respite to one who is in straitened circumstances or should remit the debt altogether (Muslim). 1375. Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: A man had dealings with people and instructed his agent: When you come to one who is in straitened circumstances, forbear, maybe that Allah will forbear when our turn comes. When he met Allah, He forbore (Bokhari and Muslim). 1376. Abu Mas'ud Badri relates that the Holy Prophet said: A man before you was called to account and nothing good was found to his credit except that he had dealings with people and was in easy circumstances and had instructed his agents that they should forbear in the case of those in straitened circumstances. . Allah, the Lord of honour and glory, said: I am more worthy of this quality. . Forbear from him (Muslim). 1377. Huzaifah relates that a man was brought before Allah upon whom He had bestowed wealth and He asked him: How did you conduct yourself in the world? He answered (and it is not possible to conceal anything from Allah): Lord, thou didst bestow wealth upon me from Thyself and I