their families, children, and property. This is, without doubt, reprehensible. When judges know that a debtor is truly insolvent and unable to pay, they are obliged to tell the creditor, “You have no right to demand payment,” for Allah, exalted is He, is the Judge—He alone decides between His servants—and He has said: “If the debtor is in hardship, then grant him respite until ease.”

Some judges, however, excuse themselves by saying, “Certain debtors play games with people: they take their money and then deny having the means to repay, so we treat them harshly as a deterrent.” Indeed, if it is established that the debtor merely claims insolvency while he is in fact solvent, there is no harm in compelling him: he may be confined or even disciplined until he pays. Should he still refuse, the judge may sell whatever of his property he sees fit and settle the debt from the proceeds. But when we know that a debtor is genuinely insolvent, it is impermissible for the creditor to press him or even say, “Give me my money.” He must leave him entirely, for Allah says, “grant him respite until ease.” Allah is the One who grants success.

1373 – Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever grants an insolvent person extra time—or cancels his debt altogether—Allah will shade him on the Day of Resurrection beneath the shade of His Throne, on a day when there is no shade but His.” Reported by al-Tirmidhī, who graded it ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ (sound and authentic).

1374 – Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet ﷺ bought a camel from him, then weighed out the payment for him and gave him extra.