Allah is sufficient as a surety

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "An Israeli man asked another Israeli 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 areright,' and lent him the money for a certain
period. The debtor went across the sea. When he finished his job, he
searched for a conveyance so that he might reach in time for the
repayment of the debt, but he could not find any. So, he took a piece
of wood and madea hole in it, inserted in it one thousand Dinars anda
letter to the lender andthen closed (i.e. sealed) the hole tightly. He
took the piece of wood to thesea and said. 'O Allah! You know well
that I took a loan of one thousand Dinars from so-and-so. He demandeda
surety from me but I told him that Allah's Guarantee was sufficientand
he accepted Your guarantee. He then asked for a witness and Itold 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 money to You.'
Saying that, he threw the piece of wood into the sea till it went out
far into it, and then he went away. Meanwhile he started searching for
a conveyance in order toreach the creditor's country.
One day the lender cameout of his house to see whether a ship had
arrived bringing his money, and all of a sudden he saw the pieceof
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 theletter 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, 'I have told you I could not get aboat other than the
one I have come by.' The lender said, 'Allah has delivered on your
behalfthe money you sent in the piece of wood. So, you may keep your
one thousand Dinars and depart guided on the right path.