Question
Is this incident authentic?
A man came to the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) demanding his debts and behaved rudely. The companions of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) intended to harm him, but Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said (to them), “Leave him, for the creditor has the right to speak.” Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then said, “Give him a camel of the same age as that of his.” The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)! There is only a camel that is older than his.” Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Give (it to) him, for the best amongst you is he who pays the rights of others handsomely.”
Answer
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) has recorded this Hadith in his Sahih. It is therefore authentic.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reported that a man once came to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) demanding repayment of his loan. He was harsh. The Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum) were on the verge of retaliating when Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Leave him, for the one who has a right due to him has the right to speak.” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then said, “Give him a camel of a similar age [that he loaned me].” They replied, “O Rasulullah, There is only an older camel than his [i.e., There is only a more valuable camel]. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Give it to him, for among the best of you are those who fulfills the rights of others generously.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 2306)
Other versions of this Hadith have also been recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim as well.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
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التخريج من المصادر العربية
صحيح البخاري:
(٢٣٠٦) – حدثنا سليمان بن حرب، حدثنا شعبة، عن سلمة بن كهيل، سمعت أبا سلمة بن عبد الرحمن، عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه: أن رجلا أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يتقاضاه، فأغلظ فهم به أصحابه، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «دعوه، فإن لصاحب الحق مقالا»، ثم قال: «أعطوه سنا مثل سنه»، قالوا: يا رسول الله، إلا أمثل من سنه، فقال: «أعطوه، فإن من خيركم أحسنكم قضاء».