◈ Ruling Regarding the Debtor Who Does Not Know the Lenders’ Addresses ◈
If a debtor is unaware of the addresses of the people from whom he borrowed money, then he should give charity on their behalf with the intention of fulfilling their rights.
❖ If the lenders later return or their whereabouts become known, and they choose to allow the charity to continue, they will receive the reward for that charity.
❖ However, if they do not accept the charity and demand their original rights, then the debtor must repay them in full, and in such a case, he will receive the reward for the charity he gave earlier.
والله أعلم
Ibn Bāz – Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā wa al-Maqālāt 19/288
