A man has a debt owed to him by another man, but he is too shy to ask for it because it is a small amount. Is it permissible for him to take it secretly?
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The questioner : There is a person who is owed a sum of money by another, and he is too shy to ask for it because it is a small amount. Is it permissible for him to take it secretly?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a person who has a debt owed to him by someone else to take it from him secretly, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1264Da'if (Darussalam) It is not reported that the owner of a right takes his right secretly, except in the case of financial maintenance. Hind bint 'Utbah came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "Abu Sufyan is a stingy man who does not give me enough maintenance for myself and my children. Is there any sin on me if I take from his wealth without his knowledge?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) included in this category cases where the cause is apparent, such as a guest who stays with a person and the host refuses to host him. In that case, the guest may take from his wealth what is sufficient for his hospitality, in a proper manner, without his knowledge, because the right in this case is apparent. If a guest stays with a person, it is obligatory for him to host him for a day and a night as a right that is obligatory, and it is not permissible for him to neglect it. As for debts, it is not permissible for a person to take from the wealth of a debtor without his knowledge. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a person who has a debt owed to him by someone else to take it from him secretly, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Fulfill the trust for the one who entrusted you, and do not cheat the one who cheated you.
أد الأمانة إلى من ائتمنك ولا تخُن من خانكTake from his wealth what is sufficient for you and your children, in a proper manner.
خذي من ماله ما يكفيكِ ويكفي بنيكِ بالمعروفThe scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) included in this category cases where the cause is apparent, such as a guest who stays with a person and the host refuses to host him. In that case, the guest may take from his wealth what is sufficient for his hospitality, in a proper manner, without his knowledge, because the right in this case is apparent. If a guest stays with a person, it is obligatory for him to host him for a day and a night as a right that is obligatory, and it is not permissible for him to neglect it. As for debts, it is not permissible for a person to take from the wealth of a debtor without his knowledge. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.