Is there a reward in lending, and is it obligatory to write a document when lending?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Is there a reward in lending, O honorable Shaykh, and is it obligatory to write a document when lending?
The Shaykh : Lending, which is known among the general public as giving a loan.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is a recommended practice (sunnah) and there is a reward in it. It falls under the general meaning of the statement of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:195] There is no harm on the borrower in asking for a loan, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes borrowed. It is permissible for the borrower and a recommended practice (sunnah) for the lender. However, it is obligatory for the lender not to hold a favor over the borrower, so that he does not boast to him later or hurt him by mentioning this loan, saying for example, "I did you a favor by lending to you, and this is what you do to me," or the like of that, due to the statement of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Baqarah 2:264].
As for writing the loan, if the loan is from the lender's own money, the best is to write it down, due to the general meaning of the statement of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Baqarah 2:282] He may leave off writing it, especially in minor matters that people usually do not pay attention to and do not usually write down.
As for when the loan is for someone else, such as if he has in his hand the money of an orphan and he is his guardian, and the public interest requires lending it, then it is obligatory for him to write it down, because this is part of preserving the orphan's money. And Allah the Exalted said:[Al-An'am 6:152]. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Lending, which is known among the general public as giving a loan.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is a recommended practice (sunnah) and there is a reward in it. It falls under the general meaning of the statement of Allah the Exalted:
And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.
وأحسنوا إن الله يُحب المحسنينO you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury
يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا لا تُبطِلوا صَدَقاتِكُم بِالمَنِّ وَالأَذىAs for writing the loan, if the loan is from the lender's own money, the best is to write it down, due to the general meaning of the statement of Allah the Exalted:
O you who have believed, when you contract a debt for a specified term, write it down. And let a scribe write [it] between you in justice.
يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ ءامَنوا إِذا تَدايَنتُم بِدَينٍ إِلى أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَاكتُبوهُ وَليَكتُب بَينَكُم كاتِبٌ بِالعَدلِAs for when the loan is for someone else, such as if he has in his hand the money of an orphan and he is his guardian, and the public interest requires lending it, then it is obligatory for him to write it down, because this is part of preserving the orphan's money. And Allah the Exalted said:
And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best until he reaches maturity
وَلا تَقرَبوا مالَ اليَتيمِ إِلّا بِالَّتي هِيَ أَحسَنُ حَتّى يَبلُغَ أَشُدَّهُThe questioner : May Allah bless you.