Volume 3, Book 37, Number 487:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “Procrastination (delay) in paying debts by a wealthy person is injustice. So, if
your debt is transferred from your debtor to a rich debtor, you should agree.”
Volume 3, Book 37, Number 488r:
Narrated Salama bin Al-Akwa:
Once, while we were sitting in the company of Prophet, a dead man was brought. The Prophet was
requested to lead the funeral prayer for the deceased. He said, “Is he in debt?” The people replied in
the negative. He said, “Has he left any wealth?” They said, “No.” So, he led his funeral prayer. Another
dead man was brought and the people said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Lead his funeral prayer.” The Prophet
said, “Is he in debt?” They said, “Yes.” He said, “Has he left any wealth?” They said, ”Three Dinars.” So,
he led the prayer. Then a third dead man was brought and the people said (to the Prophet ), Please
lead his funeral prayer.” He said, “Has he left any wealth?” They said, “No.” He asked, “Is he in debt?”
They said, (“Yes! He has to pay) three Diners.’, He (refused to pray and) said, “Then pray for your
(dead) companion.” Abu Qatada said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Lead his funeral prayer, and I will pay his
debt.” So, he led the prayer.
Volume 3, Book 37, Number 488h:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, “An Israeli man asked another Israeli to lend him one thousand Dinars. The
second man required witnesses. The former replied, ‘Allah is sufficient as a witness.’ The second said,
‘I want a surety.’ The former replied, ‘Allah is sufficient as a surety.’ The second said, ‘You are right,’
and lent him the money for a certain period. The debtor went across the sea. When he finished his
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SAHIH BUKHARI VOLUME 3 > BOOK 37: TRANSFERANCE OF A DEBT FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER (AL-HAWAALA)
job, he searched for a conveyance so that he might reach in time for the repayment of the debt, but
he could not find any. So, he took a piece of wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand
Dinars and a letter to the lender and then closed (i.e. sealed) the hole tightly. He took the piece of
wood to the sea and said. ‘O Allah! You know well that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-
and-so. He demanded a surety from me but I told him that Allah’s Guarantee was sufficient and he
accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness and I told him that Allah was sufficient as a
Witness, and he accepted You as a Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I
could pay his money but could not find, so I hand over this money to You.’ Saying that, he threw the
piece of wood into the sea till it went out far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he started
searching for a conveyance in order to reach the creditor’s country.
One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had arrived bringing his money,
and all of a sudden he saw the piece of wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it
home to use for fire. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it. Shortly after that,
the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to him and said, ‘By Allah, I had been trying hard to
get a boat so that I could bring you your money, but failed to get one before the one I have come by.’
The lender asked, ‘Have you sent something to me?’ The debtor replied, ‘I have told you I could not
get a boat other than the one I have come by.’ The lender said, ‘Allah has delivered on your behalf the
money you sent in the piece of wood. So, you may keep your one thousand Dinars and depart guided
on the right path.’ “