Question:

A few years ago, I lent £1000 to someone. Later, that person’s financial situation got worse and he asked me to forgo the amount. Out of kindness, I did forgo the amount. Now I am facing financial difficulty. I would like to know whether it will be permissible for me to claim that £1000 back from that person.

Answer:

الجواب باسم ملهم الصواب

As you have waived your right to the amount that you had lent to the person, it has become a GIFT.

In general, it is Makrooh (undesirable) to claim a gift back, after having offered it to someone.

However, it is IMPERMISSIBLE to claim a gift back once it is no longer owned by the person to whom it was offered.

It is apparent from your stated facts that the person has already spent the amount that you had lent to him.

In the case above, as the stated amount is no longer owned by the person to whom it was offered, it will NOT be permissible for you to claim it back.

Answered by:

Abdullah Fahim
Imam & Khateeb, Masjid Taqwa
Kyrwicks Lane, Birmingham

قال في مختصر القدوري: «وإذا وهب هبةً لأجنبيٍ فله الرجوع فيها، إلا أن يعوضه عنها، أو تزيد زيادةً متصلةٌ، أو يموت أحد المتعاقدين، أو تخرج الهبة من ملك الموهوب له» (راجع: الأسفل)

وقال في اللباب شرح الكتاب: «(أو تخرج الهبة من ملك الموهوب له)، لأنه حصل بتسليط الواهب، فلا يكون له نقضه، لأن نقض الإنسان ما تم من جهته مردود، ولأن تبدل الملك كتبدل العين، وقد تبدل الملك بتجدد السبب» (راجع: ج 2، ص 175، المكتبة العلمية، بيروت)