Is it permissible to resort to legal action to recover debts?

Answer

The method prescribed by the Qur'aan Majeed regarding debt is: Write off and make maaf of the whole debt. Absolve the debtor. OR write off a portion of the debt, OR grant extension to the debtor. There is no fourth option. When Sabr is adopted, one will receive the reward of having given the whole outstanding debt in Sadqah for each day the debt remains unpaid. Each day this huge amount of thawaab accumulates whilst the debt remains unpaid. Nevertheless, legal action to recover debt is permissible.