Sahih al-Bukhari 2606
Sahih al-Bukhari · Book 51: Gifts · The received, unreceived, divided and undivided gifts
Narrated Abu Huraira:
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ جَبَلَةَ ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَانَ لِرَجُلٍ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم دَيْنٌ فَهَمَّ بِهِ أَصْحَابُهُ، فَقَالَ " دَعُوهُ فَإِنَّ لِصَاحِبِ الْحَقِّ مَقَالاً. وَقَالَ اشْتَرُوا لَهُ سِنًّا فَأَعْطُوهَا إِيَّاهُ ". فَقَالُوا إِنَّا لاَ نَجِدُ سِنًّا إِلاَّ سِنًّا هِيَ أَفْضَلُ مِنْ سِنِّهِ. قَالَ " فَاشْتَرُوهَا فَأَعْطُوهَا إِيَّاهُ، فَإِنَّ مِنْ خَيْرِكُمْ أَحْسَنَكُمْ قَضَاءً " .
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) owed a man some debt (and that man demanded it very harshly). The companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) wanted to harm him, but the Prophet (ﷺ) said to them, "Leave him, as the creditor has the right to speak harshly." He then added, "Buy (a camel) of the same age and give it to him." They said, "We cannot get except a camel of an older age than that of his." He said, "Buy it and give it to him, as the best amongst you is he who pays back his debt in the most handsome way.'