In the narration of Jābir the Prophet ﷺ summed the matter up, saying: “May Allah show mercy to a person who is lenient when he sells, lenient when he buys, lenient when he demands payment, and equally lenient when he settles a debt.”

His words “may Allah show mercy to a person”—or in another wording, “to a man”—are a statement whose intent is supplication; he ﷺ is invoking mercy for anyone who practices forbearance in these four situations.

• Lenient when he sells: he is not harsh with the purchaser but treats him with ease, gives him a reduction, or waives part of the price.
• Lenient when he settles a debt: when he owes someone else, he pays on time without procrastination.
• Lenient when he buys: he is easy-going with the seller.
• Lenient when he demands payment: when he takes his due, he does so gently.

A person should display this leniency in all four circumstances so that he may receive the Prophet’s ﷺ prayer for mercy. God willing, we shall speak about the remaining narrations.

1370 – Abū Hurayrah  reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “There was a man who used to lend money to people. He would say to his servant, ‘When you come upon someone in straitened circumstances, waive the debt for him; perhaps Allah will waive something for us.’ He met Allah, and Allah forgave him.” Agreed upon.

1371 – Abū Masʿūd al-Badri  reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “A man from those who came before you was brought to account. No good deeds were found for him except that he dealt with people and was well-to-do; he would order his servants to grant relief to those in difficulty. Allah said, ‘We are more entitled to that than he is—pardon him.’” Reported by Muslim.