Islam Guidance

Verse280

(280) وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَى مَيْسَرَةٍ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُواْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

280. "And if (the debtor) is in straitness, then grant a respite until the time of ease; and if you remit it as charity it is better for you, if you but know."
Commentary:
Concerning this verse, it is necessary to note that although giving a respite to the debtor is recommended, here, the debtor should not misuse this matter, because if he delays paying his debt without having any plausible excuse, he is counted a sinner.
An Islamic narration says that those who do not pay their debt without any excuse will be recorded sinful the same as it is recorded for a thief ; and for the givers of respite, a reward will be recorded similar to that of martyrs.

Explanations:
1. Not only do refrain from taking interest, but also give a respite for taking the capital, even.
2. The capability of the debtor is the base for the length of time in repayment of the debt.
"... then grant a respite until the time of ease; ..."
3. Islam is a supporter for the indigent.
" And if (the debtor) is in straitness, ..."
4. Remittal, due to the insolvent debtor, is better for you, because it may happen that you will be in the same situation in future.
"... and if you remit it as charity it is better for you, ..."
5. Taking the capital will be forgotten, but remittal to an insolvent debtor will never be forgetable.
6. Gaining the indigent's consent and the pleasure of Allah are much better than gaining wealth.
"... if you but know."
7. In religious jurisprudence, putting the excused debtor in prison is forbidden. In cases that a debtor is not really able to pay his debt, it is to the Islamic government to pay that debt.
8. In Islamic literature, it is said that every day that the debtor is given respite, the reward of the charity of the same amount of money is to Allah to be recorded for the creditor.(1)

(1) Tafsir-ul-Burhan, vol. 1, p. 260.

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