A person died and he entered Paradise. It was said to him What (act) did you do? (Either he recalled it himself or he was made to recall), he said I used to enter into transactions with people and I gave respite to the insolvent and did not show any strictness in case of accepting a coin or demanding cash payment. (For these acts of his) he was granted pardon. Abu Mas'ud said: I heard this from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).
Hadith Commentary: The Virtue of Leniency in Transactions
This noble narration from Sahih Muslim's Book of Musaqah (Sharecropping and Agricultural Partnerships) reveals profound wisdom regarding commercial ethics and divine mercy. The hadith (Sahih Muslim 1560 c) demonstrates how simple acts of kindness in worldly dealings can lead to eternal salvation.
Exegesis of Key Phrases
"I used to enter into transactions with people" - This indicates the deceased was engaged in legitimate trade, fulfilling the Islamic emphasis on lawful livelihood while maintaining piety within commercial activities.
"Gave respite to the insolvent" - The highest form of charity in Islam is granting time to debtors facing genuine hardship. This reflects the Quranic injunction: "If the debtor is in difficulty, grant him time until it is easy for him to repay" (Al-Baqarah 2:280).
"Did not show any strictness in case of accepting a coin or demanding cash payment" - This demonstrates extraordinary flexibility in business dealings, preferring ease for others over personal convenience, embodying the Prophetic character of removing hardships from people.
Scholarly Insights
Imam An-Nawawi comments that this hadith illustrates how minor acts of mercy in daily transactions, when performed with sincerity, can outweigh numerous formal acts of worship. The forgiveness granted encompasses all sins, indicating the magnitude of reward for kindness in business dealings.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes that the combination of financial leniency with general ease in transactions creates a comprehensive model of Islamic business ethics that pleases Allah sufficiently to warrant direct entry into Paradise.
Practical Applications
Muslims engaged in commerce should incorporate flexibility, especially during times of economic hardship. The spiritual return on such kindness far exceeds any worldly profit that might be gained through strict enforcement of rights.
This narration serves as a reminder that Paradise can be earned through upright conduct in ordinary affairs, not merely through ritual acts of worship. The integration of faith into daily transactions represents the completeness of Islamic practice.