Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Procrastination (delay) in repaying debts by a wealthy person is injustice."
Sahih al-Bukhari: Loans, Payment of Loans, Freezing of Property, Bankruptcy
Hadith Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 2400
Textual Analysis
The Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly condemns the act of delaying debt repayment when one possesses the means to settle it, categorizing such behavior as "injustice" (dhulm). This terminology carries significant weight in Islamic jurisprudence, as injustice stands among the gravest sins before Allah.
Conditions of Injustice
The injustice is specifically conditioned upon two factors: first, the debtor must be "wealthy" (ghani) - meaning they have sufficient funds to repay the debt without causing themselves hardship. Second, there must be intentional "procrastination" or delay without legitimate excuse.
Legal Implications
According to classical scholars like Imam Nawawi, such delay constitutes a major sin requiring immediate repentance. The debtor becomes morally and legally obligated to hasten repayment. Creditors may seek judicial intervention to compel payment from capable debtors who unjustly delay.
Spiritual Consequences
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that this injustice violates the rights of both Allah and the creditor. On Judgment Day, the creditor may claim the debtor's good deeds as compensation, or if none remain, the debtor may bear the creditor's sins. This underscores the severe spiritual danger of financial injustice.
Exceptions and Permissible Delays
Scholars note that delay is permissible when the debtor faces genuine hardship, or when the creditor voluntarily grants extension. The prohibition specifically targets those who deliberately postpone payment despite having means, thereby oppressing the creditor through financial uncertainty.