Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear Moulavi

Assalamu Alaikkum

I would like to get a clarification from you regarding a loan I have taken from one of my friends.

I am a converted Muslim. Before 12 years, i.e. after accepting Islam as my religion, I have borrowed some amount from my friend as a loan with an intention to repay. Afterwards our family shifted from that area and we have settled in another place. Now, I don’t know the address or location or any whereabouts of the person whom I took loan. I am ready to repay the amount now. But unfortunately, I am not able to locate her.

Please, I need your help, and immediate response, since I am going to India on my vacation, I want to settle this issue. I think this is coming under “Hukukul Ibada”, so what can I do at present to do with the loan money I have taken. Please help me I want your reply immediately.

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Answer:

Pay Loan

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Dear and beloved Sister in Islam, it would only be piety and righteousness on your part in the Sight of Allah Subhanah if you strove your best to repay the loan you had taken from your friend in the past; for that loan will remain an unpaid debt upon you until it is fulfilled or forgiven by the debtor.

If after your very best efforts and striving you are still unable to locate the person whom you took the loan from, the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that you should spend that loan amount in charity with the intention that Allah Subhanah accept your intentions to repay the loan, and the reward of the charity is credited to the account of your friend.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan