Alleviating The Burden of Others

 قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَلَقَّتْ الْمَلَائِكَةُ رُوحَ رَجُلٍ مِمَّنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ فَقَالُوا أَعَمِلْتَ مِنْ الْخَيْرِ شَيْئًا قَالَ لَا قَالُوا تَذَكَّرْ قَالَ كُنْتُ أُدَايِنُ النَّاسَ فَآمُرُ فِتْيَانِي أَنْ يُنْظِرُوا الْمُعْسِرَ وَيَتَجَوَّزُوا عَنْ الْمُوسِرِ قَالَ قَالَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَجَوَّزُوا عَنْهُ

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, ‘The angels took away the soul of a person who had lived among people who were before you. They (the angels) said, “Did you do anything good?” He said, “No.” They said, “Try to recall.” He said, “I used to lend to people and order my servants to give respite to one in straitened circumstances and give allowance to the solvent.” Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, said (to the angels), “You should ignore (his failing).”’

Narrated by Muslim in Sahih Muslim, 1560

In-book reference: Book 22, Hadith 32

USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 10, Hadith 3788

Reference: sunnah.com

Lessons:

1. A person who does a good deed, no matter how small, will be judged and rewarded for that deed.

2. Financing a person in need is a good deed that is highly encouraged.

3. Providing financing is a noble deed if done for the purpose of alleviating another’s financial burden. The Prophet said, "Whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden from the burdens of the world, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens on the Day of Judgement. And whoever helps ease a difficulty in the world, Allah will grant him ease from a difficulty in the world and in the Hereafter.” 

Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1930 & Sunan Abi Dawud 4946

4. It is extremely honourable for a creditor to voluntarily extend the repayment period for a debtor who has difficulty paying off the debt. May Allah relieve the creditor’s burden on the Day of Judgment.

5. Seeking debt out of reasons other than necessity is categorically discouraged.

6. Paying off one’s debt with haste is encouraged, to avoid the suspension of one’s deeds from being accepted.