Surety

lbn ‘Abbas reported that a person chased his debtor who owed him ten dinars in the days of the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam). He (the debtor) said: “1 do not have anything to repay your debt.” He (the creditor) said: “By God’. I shall not leave you until you pay-back my debt or you bring some surety.” He (the creditor) then dragged him (the debtor) to the Holy Prophet (may’ peace be upon him). The Holy Prophet (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) said (to the creditor): “How much respite will you extend to him?” He (the creditor) said: “One month.” The Messenger of Allah (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) said: “I am surety for him (the debtor).” The debtor arrived on the date appointed by the Holy Prophet (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) and brought the money. Then the Holy Prophet (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) asked him (the debtor): “Wherefrom did you get this money?” He (the debtor) said: “I got it from a mine.” He (the Holy Prophet) said: “There is no good in it (as the money might belong to some one else).” Then he (the Holy Prophet) himself made the payment.           

Ibn Abu Qatada reported that a bier was brought to the Holy Prophet (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) so that he (the Holy Prophet) might pray over it. He (the Holy Prophet) said: “Pray over your companion for he is a debtor.” On this Abu Qatada said: “I stand surety on the payment of his debt.” The Holy Prophet (Sall Allah-o-alaihe wa sallam) asked (from Abu Qatada): “Will you pay the debt in full?” He (Abu Qatada) said: “Yes, in full.” He (the dead person) owed eighteen or nineteen dirhams.

Source: Economic Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): A Select Anthology of Hadith Literature on Economics, Muhammad Akram Khan. Republished with permission.