Prohibition of Procrastinating by a Rich Person to Fulfill his Obligation

باب تحريم مطل الغني بحق طلبه صاحبه

This brief chapter names a quiet form of injustice, the delay. When someone has the means to repay what he owes and still drags his feet, the Prophet (peace be upon him) called it oppression, zulm. A debt honoured late, without need, wrongs the one who is owed.

The single hadith here also points to the relief on the other side, if a solvent person takes over the debt owed to you, accept the transfer. Faith asks the one who can pay to pay promptly, and asks the creditor to receive a sound settlement with good grace.

Hadith 1611

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏مطل الغني ظلم وإذا أُتبع أحدكم على مليء فليتبع‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏.‏ معنى ‏"‏أتبع‏"‏‏:‏ أحيل‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "It is an act of oppression on the part of a person to procrastinate in fulfilling his obligation; if the repayment of a debt due to any of you is undertaken by a rich person, you should agree to the substitution." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

For someone who can afford to repay a debt to keep delaying is a form of injustice; and if a solvent person offers to take over a debt owed to you, accept it. Pay promptly when you can, and receive a sound settlement gracefully.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1611 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 101