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How Shield of Prophet Was Mortgaged with a Jew

Question

It was learned that Prophet Sallallahu Alaihivasallam's personal effects were pawned to a Jew during his last days and Sahaba reclaimed it after his demise. Now the question is that whether will a Jew extend economic support to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihivasallam without a benefit? If there was a benefit what was that? Islam is against all forms of riba whether you received it or paid it thus it seems this story is false.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

We ask Allah to enable you to do good.

We advise you to beware of daring to speak about religion without knowledge, as it is one of the major sins.

Allah Says (what means): {Say, "My Lord has only forbidden immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed – and sin, and oppression without right, and that you associate with Allah that for which He has not sent down authority, and that you say about Allah that which you do not know."} [Quran 7:33]

The Hadeeth that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) mortgaged his shield to the Jew, is proven in Saheeh Al-Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim, which the nation received with acceptance.
‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  her narrated: “The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) died while his shield was mortgaged with a Jew for 30 Saa’ (a Saa’ equals approximately one and half kilogram) of wheat.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

There is no problem in this Hadeeth. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) bought food from the Jew, at a deferred price, and gave him the shield as a mortgage. What does Riba (usury and/or interest) have to do with this?

The scholars inferred from this Hadeeth that lawful dealings are permissible – such as buying and selling, and the like – whether it is from the People of the Book or other people who have prohibited transactions.

For more benefit on the ruling on mortgage, please refer to Fatwa 81377.

Allah Knows best.

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