Payment of Debts

“I once heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), saying, ‘If one is indebted and he intends to pay it back, from the side of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, there will be two guards to help him to keep his trust; but if his intention falls short they also fall behind in their help proportionate to the degree of the fall of his intention.”’

“‘Abd Allah was about to die and his creditors gathered around him demanding payment. He said to them, ‘I do not have any property to pay you but you may choose one of the sons of my uncle, Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), and ‘Abd Allah ibn Ja’far who will assume responsibility to pay you.’ They said, “Abd Allah ibn Ja’far is a procrastinator and slow to respond. Ali ibn Al-Husayn (a.s.), does not have any properties but is a truthful person and more beloved one of the two to us.’ He then sent someone to inform him of the case, and he said, ‘I assume responsibility to pay you by the time of harvest,’ although he did not have any harvest but he said so to show kindness. The people said, ‘We accept your offer.’ He assumed the responsibility and when time for harvest came Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, made it possible for him to pay and he did so.”