Regarding compulsion to labor for debt repayment, is it restricted to earnings exceeding one's own and dependents' necessities?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Insolvent (Bankruptcy)
Primary text
If compelling the debtor to work is established, the compulsion only applies to the portion of the earnings that exceeds the debtor's own necessary living expenses (nafaqah) and the necessary expenses of those whom he supports.
Supporting text
The argument against extending the ruling of compulsion is based on several points: The story of 'Sarah' is claimed to be abrogated because a free person cannot be sold, and the transaction seemed to involve his very person (body/ra'bah), evidenced by the buyer's statement about manumission. The ruling of Quran 2:280 is specific to the ruling concerning the wealthy (in matters like Zakat exclusion and mutual support obligations) and is a specific incident (qadiyyat 'ayn) not establishing a general rule. Accepting charity involves humiliation that men of honor avoid, unlike the obligation to utilize one's existing productive capacity.