If the creditor denies that the debt was paid and there is no evidence, whose word is accepted?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner says: If the creditor and the debtor disagree regarding the payment of the debt and there is no evidence, whose word is accepted?

Answer:
The word of the one who owns the debt is accepted, because the default is that the debt has not been paid. The default is that the debt has not been paid. Why did you not have witnesses present when it was paid? You are the one who was negligent. The debt remains in your liability until you prove that you paid it. Yes.