it has come to my attention that a man came to his friend to borrow money from him. he left him at the door then came out to him wearing a belt. he said to him what is the matter with you? he said i came to fight slap myself argue and make noise. he said why? he said because when you take my money you are in two states either you take it or you delay paying it to me. if you take it in the way of righteousness and kinship i will have transgressed against you and you will be obligated to thank you for it. if you take it in the way of a loan the custom in debts and the way of lending is to return it or to litigate. if i litigate with you you anger me and make me hear things i hate so you combine against me delaying it speaking badly being hostile and corrupting my hand in lending and you are more unjust.
وقد بلغني أن رجلا أتى صديقا له يستقرض منه مالا، فتركه بالباب، ثم خرج اليه، مؤتزرا ٢ . فقال له مالك؟ قال جئت للقتال واللطام والخصومة والصخب. قال ولم؟ قال لأنك في أخذ مالي بين حالين إما أن تذهب به، وإما أن تمطلني به. فلو أخذته، على طريق البر والصلة، لا عتددت عليك بحق، ولوجب عليك به شكر. وإذا أخذته من طريق السلف، كانت العادة في الديون والسيرة في الإسلاف الرد أو التقاضي. وإذا تقاضيتك أغضبتك أسمعتني ما أكره، فتجمع علي المطل وسوء اللفظ والوحشة وإفساد اليد في الإسلاف، وأنت أظلم.