The Prophet said, "An Israeli man asked anotherIsraeli to lend him one
thousand Dinars. The second man required witnesses. The former
replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a witness.' The second said, 'I want
a surety.' The former replied, 'Allah is sufficient as a surety.' The
second said, 'You are right,' and lent him the money for a certain
period. The debtor went across the sea. When he finished his job, he
searched for a conveyanceso that he might reach in time for the
repayment ofthe debt, but he could notfind any. So, he took a piece of
wood and made a hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars and a
letter to the lender and then closed (i.e. sealed) the hole tightly.
He took the piece of wood to the sea and said. 'O Allah! Youknow well
that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demanded
a surety from me but I told him that Allah's Guarantee was sufficient
and he acceptedYour guarantee. He then asked for a witness and I told
him that Allah was sufficient as a Witness, and he accepted You as a
Witness. No doubt, I tried hard to find a conveyance so that I could
pay his money but could not find,so I hand over this moneyto You.'
Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out
far into it, and then hewent away. Meanwhile hestarted searching for a
conveyance in order to reach the creditor's country.
One day the lender came out of his house to see whether a ship had
arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden he saw the piece of
wood in which his money had been deposited. He took it home to use for
fire. When he sawed it, he found his money and the letter inside it.
Shortly after that, the debtor came bringing one thousand Dinars to
him and said, 'By Allah, I had been trying hard to get a boat so that
I could bring you your money, but failed to get one before the one I
have come by.' The lender asked, 'Have you sent something to me?' The
debtor replied, 'Ihave told you I could not get a boat other than the
one I have come by.' The lender said, 'Allah has delivered on your
behalf the money you sent in thepiece of wood. So, you may keep your
one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path.'" Source:
Sahih Bukhari (Volume 3, Book 37, Number 488h)
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