Getting a loan at the right time and meeting the needs is surely a great favor of Allah. Besides thanking the Merciful Lord, it is also advisable to be grateful to the person through whom this grace has been obtained. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘He who is not grateful to man, is also not grateful to Allah.’
Borrowing when necessary is permissible, borrowing unnecessarily is highly condemned. Because, due to debt, people are humiliated, humiliated and oppressed in the society. Many choose to commit suicide because they cannot bear the burden of debt. Debt is a hindrance to a believer’s paradise. Hence the Prophet (PBUH) insisted on paying off the deceased’s debts before distributing the wealth among the heirs. (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2433). Even if all the sins of the martyr are forgiven, the debts are not forgiven. Rasul (pbuh) said, ‘All the sins of the martyrs are forgiven except the debt.’ (Muslim: 4777).
Try to repay the loan on time
To get rid of the burden of debt, it is obligatory to repay it on time. Because it is a promise. Keeping promises is of immense importance in transactions. As a result of breaking promises, various problems and crises are created at the state, society and individual level. Afraid of reciprocity. Human values ​​decrease. By commanding to keep promises, Allah Ta’ala says, ‘O believers, fulfill your promises.’ (Surah Mayida: 1). The fear is that on the Day of Judgment they will be asked about the pledge. Allah says, ‘fulfill your promise. Of course the pledge will be questioned.’ (Surah Bani Israel: 34). Apart from that, breaking a promise is a sign of a hypocrite. Rasul (pbuh) said, ‘There are three signs of a hypocrite – when he speaks, he lies, when he promises, he breaks it, when he keeps a deposit, he betrays it.’ (Bokhari: 33).
Relying on the Lord to pay the debt
If the debtor puts his trust in Allah Almighty and makes due efforts to repay the debt, then surely He will arrange for him to recover the debt. Allah Ta’ala says, ‘Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He is sufficient for him.’ (Surah Talaq: 3). Rasool (pbuh) said, ‘Whoever borrows people’s wealth with the intention of repaying it, Allah will arrange for it to be repaid. And whoever takes it with the intention of destroying (devouring), Allah destroys him.’ (Bokhari: 2387).
Do not default in repayment of debt
Being able to pay off the debt is a great injustice. It is included in oppression. Rasul (pbuh) said, ‘It is wrong to neglect the payment of a rich person’s debt. When one of you is referred (for him) to a wealthy person, let him accept it.’ (Bokhari: 2287). However, if the debtor is unable to pay the debt within the stipulated time despite taking proper preliminary steps, he is not guilty. Of course, what he should do is to extend the time by politely expressing his inability to the lender.
Pay off debt well
Good behavior should be rewarded well. Since the lender has helped the borrower in distress, humanity is to repay the creditor in the best way possible. Allah Ta’ala says, ‘What can be the reward of good deeds except good!’ (Surah Ar Rahman: 60). In this case, even if the lender behaves harshly, we still want to behave well with him. Moreover, if there are no preconditions, he can be given an increase at will. Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA); A man came to the Prophet (PBUH) to demand a debt and began to speak harshly. The companions tried to discipline him. Then the Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Leave him. Because, the creditor has the right to speak (harshly).’ Then he said, ‘Give him a camel of the same age as his camel.’ They said, ‘There is no such thing, there is a better camel than this.’ He said, ‘So give it. The best of you is the one who is good at repaying debts.’ (Bokhari: 2306).
Be courteous to creditors
Momin should always be humble, polite and courteous. Furthermore, when he is touched by someone’s kindness or generosity, being humble towards him is as important from a Shariah point of view as it is from a humanistic point of view. Even if the creditor misbehaved, the Prophet (PBUH) treated him kindly. Narrated by Abu Saeed Khudri (RA); He said, a villager came to Rasool (pbuh) and demanded him in harsh language to pay his debt. He even told her, ‘If you don’t pay my debt, I will screw you.’ The Companions said, “Woe to you!” Do you know who you are talking to?’ He said, ‘I demand my due.’ Then the Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘Why don’t you take the creditor’s side?’ Then he sent people to Khawla, the daughter of Qais, and said to her, ‘If you have dates, lend them to me. I will pay your debt when my dates come.’ Khawla (RA) said, ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah!’ The narrator says, He lent it to him. The Prophet (PBUH) paid the Bedouin’s debt with it and fed him. He said, ‘You paid in full. May Allah bless you fully.’ Rasulullah (SAW) said, ‘The best people are like that. A nation whose weak people cannot collect their dues without coercion can never be pure.’ (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2426).
Being grateful to the lender and praying for him
Getting a loan at the right time and meeting the needs is surely a great favor of Allah. Besides thanking the Merciful Lord, it is also advisable to be grateful to the person through whom this grace has been obtained. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ‘He who is not grateful to man, is also not grateful to Allah.’ (Tirmidhi: 1955). Rasool (pbuh) used to express his gratitude when he accepted a loan from someone. He used to pray for him. (Sunan Ibn Majah: 2424). If someone does a favor to someone, there is an instruction to pray for him by saying ‘Jajakallahu Khairan’. Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said, ‘When someone is favored, if he says to the benefactor Jazakallahu Khairan (meaning May Allah reward you well), then he has given a proper and complete praise.’ (Tirmidhi: 2035).