Procrastination in payment of a debt by a rich man is injustice, but when one of you is re…

Islam > Hadiths > Virtues and manners > Procrastination in payment of a debt by a rich man is injustice, but when one of you is re…

Hadith narrated by Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim

Authentic hadith

Updated on 24 September 2026 at 12:34 AM

📖 1 min read

Hadith text: Procrastination in payment of a debt by a rich man is i…

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «مَطْلُ الغني ظلم، وإذا أُتْبِعَ أحدكم على مَلِيءٍ فَلْيَتْبَعْ».

Explanation of the hadith: Procrastination in payment of a debt by a rich man is i…

This Hadīth guides to one of the manners of kind treatment.

In this Hadīth, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) orders the debtor to pay the debt kindly and advises the creditor to request what is his kindly as well.

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified that if the creditor demanded his money, or his demand was understood from a sign or a hint, then delaying his right on the part of the wealthy debtor - who can afford to pay his debt - would be considered injustice because the debtor, in this case, would be holding back the creditor's right without an excuse.

Such injustice would be alleviated in case the debtor transfers his creditor to another debtor who can pay him the debt easily. At that point, the creditor is advised to accept that transfer. The acceptance would be an expression of polite demand of the debt as well as an easier means to take his money; not to mention that injustice, which would have continued had the debt remained in the procrastinator's liability, would be alleviated.

Categories : Jurisprudence of Ethics · Praiseworthy Morals · Virtues and Manners

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لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله There is no power nor strength except with Allah

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ