Is the act of lending (usufruct) obligatory or merely recommended?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Loan for Use
Primary text
Lending is recommended (Mandub ilayh) and not obligatory, according to the opinion of the majority of scholars. This is supported by the argument that once one pays the Zakah (obligatory charity), they have fulfilled their obligation, as evidenced by the Prophet's saying, "When you have paid the Zakah of your wealth, you have settled what is due upon you." Another supporting tradition states, "There is no right in wealth other than Zakah." Additionally, when an Arab asked the Prophet about the obligatory charity, the Prophet only mentioned Zakah, implying no other obligatory right on wealth unless one chooses to volunteer more.
Supporting text
It is held by some that lending is obligatory, based on the interpretation of the verse "And they prevent Mâ'ûn" (Quran 107:7) and the tradition where the Prophet described the right of an owner of camels to include lending their water bucket, allowing their male animal to be used for breeding, and giving its milk on the day of arrival. This view suggests that God condemned the one who prevents usufruct, and the Prophet threatened such a person.