a government minister? Even if he came to claim his due with the utmost politeness, he might be silenced—perhaps even killed—except for those whom Allah spares. Yet this Bedouin addressed Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, in harsh terms, and he (the Prophet) said, “Leave him alone; the creditor has the right to speak.”

From this we learn that when someone owes another person a debt and the creditor comes to demand it, the creditor is entitled to speak firmly, for the right is his. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would certainly repay him, but at that very moment he may not have had anything to give. Therefore he ordered that the man be repaid with his bakr (a young she-camel). They replied, “We can find only a camel of an older, better age.” In another version they said, “We have nothing except a choice rubāʿī (a four-year-old she-camel).” A rubāʿī is far better than a bakr: the bakr is small, whereas the four-year-old is mature and able to carry loads and the like. The Prophet ﷺ instructed them to give it to him and said, “The best of you are those who repay their debts in the best manner.”

This statement covers both the quality of repayment and the way one deals with the creditor who is asserting his right. A Muslim should follow the example of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ by repaying beautifully, and by treating the claimant gently—not with rudeness, insults, or abuse—because he possesses a right and a voice. As for the repayment itself, one should make it better than what is owed, whether that improvement is in quality or in quantity.

For instance, if you borrow one hundred riyals and, when the time comes, you give back one hundred and ten without any prior stipulation, there is nothing blameworthy in that; rather, it is among the best forms of repayment. Likewise, if you borrow one sāʿ (measure) of food that is of average quality—neither fine nor poor—and later return a sāʿ of superior quality, that too is good repayment. The best people are those who repay their debts in the best way.