The Meaning of Their Statement: "A Debt Is Due Immediately, Even If Its Term Is Deferred"

Question:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, says: We previously studied in the text *al-Zad* that "a debt is due immediately, even if its term is deferred." Today, it was mentioned that a deferred debt is not due. Is that correct?

Answer:
The statement "a debt is due immediately, even if its term is deferred" does not mean that every debt is due immediately, nor that a deferred debt is not deferred. This phrase is specific, not general, regarding all debts. Yes. A loan is due immediately, even if its term is deferred. A loan is what does not involve deferral; it is due immediately, even if a term is set. As for the prices of sales, these accept deferral. Yes.