Paisa ye Paisa, Kaisa ye Paisa


                                                        

Old Bill* was not only a great dramatist but a prophet too. His words Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan does often lose both itself and friend has stood the test of time. How often have we extended a helping hand by way of lending money to our relatives, friends, acquaintances and colleagues only to find that we have lost both money and the borrower? I have experienced this plenty of times. And I am sure all of you must have too.

I have also seen that if the request for loan is refused politely the relationship doesn’t break but strengthens, in many instances. Whatever hard feeling there must have been in the person on hearing the no, softens, and life goes on the same way. But if instead the money is lent, then the borrower (relative, friend, acquaintance, colleague) suddenly disappears from your life. He/she avoids meeting you, stops calling you, stops receiving your calls, and does whatever is possible to stay away from you.   

You are at a loss to understand what the hell has happened. But that’s what has happened. Your money has gone with the wind, the wind being the relative, friend, acquaintance or colleague. If you are ready to lose both, then lend. Or, if you are so kind-hearted, or, if you have never learnt to say no, then lend only that amount which you are happily willing to forego.

Yet, the need can arise in anybody. Someone close to us may be in real want for money and we have the capacity and the capability to assist; in that case, should we or should we not? If we decide to support, we should follow a proper procedure. Chapter 2, verse 282 of the Holy Koran has clearly defined the entire process of lending money. I reproduce an extract from that verse:

O you who believe! When you deal with each other, in transactions involving future obligations in a fixed period of time, reduce them to writing. Let a scribe write down faithfully as between the parties:

Let him who incurs the liability dictate, but let him fear His Lord, and not diminish aught of what he owes. Disdain not to reduce to writing (your contract) for a future period, whether it be small or big: it is just in the sight of God.

But despite taking the above precaution, the money may still not come back. You may have to take legal action based on the document prepared. But will you do that? Will you take your relative, friend, acquaintance, or colleague to court? You may or you may not. In both the cases, the headache is yours.     

Avoid the headache. Simply say No. Or lend what you can write off from day one.  

-          NZ

16.5.2019

*Old Bill is William Shakespeare.

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