Mortgaging

Anas reported that the Prophet pawned his coat of mail for barley. He said, “I took barley bread and rancid animal fat to the Prophet, and I heard him say, ‘By morning, the family of Muhammad had no more than a sa‘, and by evening…’” They were nine households.

Aisha reported that the Prophet bought food from a Jew on credit for a fixed term and pawned his coat of mail as security.

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “Who will deal with Ka‘b ibn al-Ashraf? He has harmed Allah and His Messenger.” Muhammad ibn Maslama said, “I will.” He went to Ka‘b and said, “We want to borrow a wasq or two.” Ka‘b said, “Give me your women as pledges.” They replied, “How could we pledge our women to you, when you are the most handsome of the Arabs?” He said, “Then pledge your sons.” They said, “How could we pledge our sons, so that one of them might be insulted and told that he was pledged for a wasq or two? That would disgrace us. But we will pledge our armor to you.” Sufyan explained that this meant weapons. He promised to come to Ka‘b, and they killed him. Then they went to the Prophet and told him what had happened.

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet used to say: “A riding animal that is pledged may be ridden in return for the expense of its upkeep, and the milk of a milch animal may be drunk when it is pledged.”

Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “A pledged animal may be ridden in return for its upkeep, and the milk of a pledged milch animal may be drunk in return for its upkeep. The one who rides or drinks its milk must bear the expense.”

Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah bought food from a Jew and pledged his coat of mail as security.

Ibn Abbas wrote to me that the Prophet ruled that the oath is incumbent on the defendant.

Abdullah said that whoever swears a false oath to acquire wealth will meet Allah while He is angry with him. Allah revealed in confirmation: “Those who sell Allah’s covenant and their oaths for a small price…” through “…a painful punishment.” Al-Ash‘ath ibn Qays came out and asked what Abu Abd al-Rahman had told them. When they related it, he said, “He spoke the truth. By Allah, it was revealed concerning me. A dispute over a well arose between me and another man, and we brought it before the Messenger of Allah. He said, ‘Produce your two witnesses, or he must swear an oath.’ I said, ‘Then he will swear without caring.’ The Messenger of Allah said, ‘Whoever swears a false oath to acquire wealth will meet Allah while He is angry with him.’” Allah revealed this in confirmation, and the Prophet recited the verse: “Those who sell Allah’s covenant and their oaths for a small price…” through “…and they will have a painful punishment.”