I have always hated the burden and trauma that debts which involve interest cause, so whenever someone needed to borrow money, if I had it, I would lend it in prevention of them resorting to loans through banks or payday lenders etc. (I will not go into further detail then this). The interesting thing was that in order to lend (interest free of course) my only stipulation was one request. That a contract was drawn up, with witnesses and the requirements according to what was prescribed in Quran and Sunnah. And this was only because I had read a hadith that the one who does not draw up these financial contracts, their duaa would not be answered. The Prophet (saw) said: “There are three who call upon Allah but their prayer will not be answered…(cont..) ...and a man who lent money to another man but he did not have (the loan) witnessed.” - Saheeh al-Jaami Therefore, the exchange would be made, with the best of intentions and done in the best of manners according to Islamic law. The majority of the time, when the mutually agreed time of repayment came, the debtor would ask for an extension. In almost every case, the extension was granted, in one such case, the extension was granted for an extra 4 years. All seems fine right? The problem, nine out of ten of the times, came from the debtor. The extensions were then viewed as a permanent loan to the extent that they started to believe that was their money, easy money, from all my hard work and self-discipline of not spending it all when I earned it. And since I would never apply pressure or constantly remind or act like I was owed a favour, this was taken advantage of. There was a few difficult situation I was placed in and a few financial strains I went through myself which meant that I could no longer extend the loan any further and would need to be repayed at the next repayment date. What I saw and was subjected to, and a few times almost fleeced from my hard earned wages, left me in disbelief and with a feeling of being fooled. I was treated like an enemy and a bad person for needing my own money back because I myself was in need. Many a time I would be penalised for going into overdraft since I did not have enough disposable cash in my account. And yet those who I had lend to after listening to sob stories and really having my heart strings pulled at were living it up with expensive and unnecessary purchases whilst I struggled. These same people who I had lent to for years and years would cut me off as soon as the repayment was made. Their behaviour and attitude in repaying was so abysmal, I felt like telling them they should be ashamed of themselves. I consulted my father with their awful behaviour and he wasnt suprised at all. In fact he was wondered why I was so shocked, according to him: Who wouldnt want free money? Their just hoping to annoy you enough so that you give up asking for it back!?! Out of everyone who I have lent money to, there is only ONE person who has behaved in such a way that I salute her for her good manners. And it is for this reason I was excited to read the hadith below. The sister who knows who she is, read it and take joy that you are a very decent and one of the best. MashaAllah. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you are those who are best in paying off their debts.” - Tahawi, Sahih As for those who borrow money and employ the worst manners in repaying. Just remember, when people try to help you out, dont destroy that friendship just cause you need to give back the money someone lent you. It wasnt yours in the first place and secondly just remember that out of everyone you asked, they were the one who helped you, when noone else was bothered to trust you.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Nov 2014 10:50:52 +0000