1368 – Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “May Allah show mercy to a man who is easy-going when he sells, when he buys, and when he demands payment.” Narrated by al-Bukhari.

1369 – Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say, “Whoever would like Allah to save him from the distress of the Day of Resurrection should grant respite to a debtor in difficulty, or waive the debt for him.” Narrated by Muslim.

[Explanation]
Imam al-Nawawi—may Allah have mercy on him—quoted these hadiths in the chapter on the virtue of leniency in buying and selling, after citing the Qur’anic verses with which he opened the chapter.

As for the hadiths themselves, one of them is the report of Abu Hurayrah: a Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ demanding the repayment of a debt—that is, he wanted the Prophet ﷺ to settle what he owed him. The Prophet had borrowed a bakr, meaning a young she-camel, and its owner now came to claim it, saying, “Give me my bakr.” Bedouins, as we know, tend to be rough in manner, so he spoke harshly to the Messenger ﷺ. The Companions were about to deal with him—intent on striking him, silencing him, or something similar—but the Prophet said, “Leave him alone, for the creditor has the right to speak.” May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him. Just imagine: if someone spoke like that to an ordinary soldier today, what would happen? He would be beaten—and if he addressed a prince, or a judge, or