Being unable to locate one's creditor
Question
Ten years ago, there was a businessman whom we would deal with. Eventually, he became bankrupt and ran away. There are many people who he owes money to. I owe a certain amount of money to this person. Can I give the amount to someone who he owes money to so that I become absolved of my debt?
Answer
You cannot do this. Keep the amount aside with the intention that if he returns, you will repay him. If after a lengthy period of time, there is no trace of him, then give that amount in sadaqah on his behalf.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
(Scroll down for more information regarding this question)
Q: I would like to add that the person was a kafir, so how can I give sadaqah on his behalf?
And ten years have already passed, so what is the definition of lengthy period?
A: Give it out in sadaqah. You do not have to intend that it is on his behalf.
The lengthy period will mean that where it becomes practically impossible to meet him again.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
قال أصحابنا رحمهم الله تعالى للبائع حق حبس المبيع لاستيفاء الثمن إذا كان حالا كذا في المحيط... والمشتري إذا نقد الثمن كله أو أبرأه البائع عن كله بطل حق الحبس كذا في البدائع (الفتاوى الهندية 3/15-16)
اِنَّ اللّٰه یَاۡمُرُکُمۡ اَنۡ تُؤَدُّوا الۡاَمٰنٰتِ اِلٰۤی اَهلِها ۙ وَ اِذَا حَکَمۡتُمۡ بَیۡنَ النَّاسِ اَنۡ تَحۡکُمُوۡا بِالۡعَدۡلِ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰه نِعِمَّا یَعِظُکُمۡ بِه ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰه کَانَ سَمِیۡعًۢا بَصِیۡرًا (النساء: ٥٨)
وأما حكمها فوجوب الحفظ على المودع وصيرورة المال أمانة في يده ووجوب أدائه عند طلب مالكه كذا في الشمني الوديعة لا تودع ولا تعار ولا تؤاجر ولا ترهن وإن فعل شيئا منها ضمن كذا في البحر الرائق (الفتاوى الهندية 4/ 338)
ما لا تجوز الوديعة فيه لاتجوز في الوديعة ثمانية أشياء لاتباع ولاتوهب ولا ترهن ولايتصدق بها ولا تؤاجر ولا تعار ولاتستعمل متفقا عليه والثامن لا تودع إلا من كان في عياله في قول أبي حنيفة وأبي يوسف ومحمد (النتف في الفتاوى 2/578)
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)
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