What is better: giving the debtor his debt so he can pay it, or giving it directly to the creditor?

Question : If someone asks which is better: should I give the debtor his debt so he can pay it, or should I go to his creditor and say, "This is so-and-so's debt"? Which is better?

Answer : There is a distinction here. If you fear that if you give it to the debtor, he will not pay it and will play with the money, then it is better to go to the creditor and pay him. If you know that the debtor is a man who loves to settle his debts and is trustworthy, then it is better to give it to the debtor, because he is confident in his ability to pay his debt. When a debtor is given zakah to settle a debt, it is not permissible for him to spend it on anything else. So, give it to the debtor, because that is more concealing for him than going to his creditor and saying, "Take the debt that is on so-and-so." So, if someone asks which is better: paying the debt without giving it to the debtor, or giving it to the debtor so he can pay the debt? Yes. There is a distinction. If you fear that the debtor will not pay, give it to the creditor. If you trust that the debtor will pay, give it to the debtor. May Allah bless you. That is all.