Are Debtors Obligated to Continue Collecting?

QUESTION:

Assalamu’alaikum ust
Permission to ask

For the debtor, is it obligatory to continue collecting debts?
Even though the debtor always avoids it and the lender seems fed up/tired of collecting it
Afwan wa syukron (+62 852-4600-xxxx)

ANSWER

Wa’alaikumussalam warahmatullah wabarakatuh

The owner of the receivable has the right to remind and collect the person who owes him the debt. In fact, collecting debts is an effort to save the debtor from falling into the danger of “not paying the debt”.

It’s just that there are several etiquettes for collecting debts:

– Charge with gentleness, patience and relaxation.

Rasulullah ﷺ motivated that people who make things easy for those in difficulty will be given ease by Allah in this world and the hereafter. So the tone of the charge is not “cornering”, but “reminding”.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

There was a merchant who was in debt to other people, and when he saw someone going bankrupt, he said to his young men, “Go ahead.” Maybe God will forgive us, then God will forgive him.

“There was a merchant who gave loans to people so that if he saw them in trouble he said to his servants, “Give him time until he finds it easy, may Allah make things easy for us.” So Allah made things easier for the merchant.” (HR. Bukhari no. 2078)

– No public shaming

Insinuating or announcing someone’s debt can be backbiting and even damage honor. Better quietly, privately.

– Good and able to discharge his debts, especially if he is deemed unable to pay.

Allah Ta’ala says:

And if he is in trouble, then look for something easy. And if you give charity, it is better for you, if you only knew.

And if (the person in debt) is in trouble, then give him respite until he is able to finance it. And giving charity (some or all of the debt) is better for you if you know. (QS. Al Baqarah: 280)

Wallahu A’lam

Farid Nu’man Hasan

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