even though lending it by count is not permissible. In a loan, it is permissible to repay with something better than what was borrowed, provided this was not stipulated, as in the report:

“The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—borrowed a camel and repaid with a better one. He said, ‘The best people are those who are best in repaying their debts.’”

Likewise, according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions, it is permissible to lend eggs and similar items counted individually. The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—borrowed an animal, and animals vary more than eggs do.

He was asked:

A soldier holds a land grant and comes to me where his farmers are, and they offer him food. May he eat?

He replied:

If he eats and compensates them for what he has eaten, there is no harm. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

A master craftsman is owed money by a worker whom he employs on that account. May he take a portion of the worker’s wages?

He replied:

The master may not pay the worker less than the customary wage for someone like him because of the money he has lent him. If he does so, even with the worker’s consent, he is engaging in usury, committing injustice and sin, and deserving discretionary punishment. Nor may he treat him oppressively when collecting his debt.