One Who Borrowed and Could Not Find the Creditor

Question:
We will take a call from Abu Fahd in Riyadh. Go ahead, Abu Fahd. Peace be upon you. And upon you, peace.

Answer:
And upon you, peace. Please speak to the Shaykh. Go ahead. Shaykh, I borrowed a sum of money from a person, and I have the money available, but I did not give it to him; that was a shortcoming on my part. Now the person has traveled, and I do not know where he is. What should I do with the money? Should I give it in charity on his behalf, or...? My brother, keep the money with you or record it as a debt in your liability. If he comes, you pay him his money. If you despair of his coming—meaning you waited for him and he did not come, and you have despaired of his coming—then give it in charity with the intention that the reward belongs to the owner. If he comes, you inform him. If he approves of the charity, the reward is his, and the charity stands. If he demands his money, you pay it to him, and the reward for the charity is yours.