Questions about loan

 Mufti Sahab, one of my friends asked me a small question.  He had taken a loan from one of his cousins.  It is very unfortunate that that cousin and his wife committed suicide, mainly because of the emotional torture of their relatives which they could not bear.  Now my friend is in a dilemma that to whom he should return the money, although that amount is very small.  He does not want to give the money to the relatives, as he feels they have no moral right to accept that money.  I am not aware of giving away the money in charity also.  Please tell me.

 

Islam has created the way of giving loans to the needy people and has given glad tidings on doing so.  When taking a loan, an intention of returning it must be made, as this leads to the benevolence of Allah Ta'ala in this world and the next.  It is mentioned in the Hadith:

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) helps the person who takes a loan and has the intention of returning it.  You will receive reward even on the intention of repaying the loan.

The ruling about this is that the money regardless of whether it remains with the borrower or the lender, it is the property of the lender.  It is the responsibility of the borrower to repay the loan within the stipulated period.  If the lender dies, then giving away the money in charity is not correct, as then the amount becomes the inheritance of the heirs and inheritance cannot be given to others.  

Troubling anybody mentally or in any other way is not allowed.  This is a sin.  However, losing heart because of difficulties and committing suicide is a grave sin.  This is boldness before Allah Ta'ala.  No one is the absolute owner of one's own life that he/she can end it anytime they want to.

And Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) knows best.

Mufti Syed Ziauddin Naqshbandi Qadri,

[Professor, Islamic Law, Jamia Nizamia,
Founder-Director, Abul Hasanaat Islamic Research Center]