A man borrowed a sum of money ten years ago, and when he wanted to repay it, the currency had depreciated significantly. Does he return the money as it is, even if its value has decreased, or
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : Your Eminence, one of the brothers borrowed a sum of money from a neighbor who owns a store in his town. Ten years have passed since this debt, and he wants to repay the amount now. However, the country's currency has dropped to the point where the amount, which could have bought a new car from the agency back then, cannot buy even a fraction of one today. Does he return the same amount, in which case the lender would have lost a great deal, or does he pay him what is equivalent to the value of the amount ten years ago? And would that constitute riba (usury or interest)?
The Shaykh : If the money has been abolished and replaced by another currency, he may demand its value at that time or its value when it was abolished.
As for if the currency remains as it is, the lender is entitled to only this currency, whether it has increased or decreased. And I tell you: suppose the currency increased, would the lender not demand it from the borrower? Yes, he demands it from him, even though it may have increased many times over.
Likewise, if he lent him a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of wheat several years ago, and the sa' was worth five riyals, then it dropped to two riyals, for example, does he say, "Give him the sa' and give him three riyals"? No, he is entitled to only the sa'.
Therefore, for like-for-like items, only the return of the like is required. And likewise for money, unless the transaction with it is abolished, in which case he is entitled to its value at the time of its abolition.
The questioner : The borrower sees that he is increasing it. Is there riba (usury or interest) in this?
The Shaykh : No. If he volunteers and gives him an increase, the best of people are those who are best in repaying debts.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) borrowed a she-camel and returned a superior four-year-old camel, and he said: Yes.
The questioner : In the name of Allah, and praise be to Allah, and may prayers and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
The Shaykh : Let him come to the row here, the rows, here are the rows, even though our custom is for the first row, then the next.
The questioner : We are coming from the Eastern Province, O Shaykh. We have a question.
The Shaykh : And these people did not come from the Eastern Province... It will come to you, if Allah wills, now we will shorten the answer, and it will come to you, if Allah wills. Yes.
The questioner : O Shaykh, we have a request regarding you, O Shaykh. We request your visit...
The Shaykh : Ah, give it to the person after you. This is not a question. Yes, it is a question. Good.
The Shaykh : If the money has been abolished and replaced by another currency, he may demand its value at that time or its value when it was abolished.
As for if the currency remains as it is, the lender is entitled to only this currency, whether it has increased or decreased. And I tell you: suppose the currency increased, would the lender not demand it from the borrower? Yes, he demands it from him, even though it may have increased many times over.
Likewise, if he lent him a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of wheat several years ago, and the sa' was worth five riyals, then it dropped to two riyals, for example, does he say, "Give him the sa' and give him three riyals"? No, he is entitled to only the sa'.
Therefore, for like-for-like items, only the return of the like is required. And likewise for money, unless the transaction with it is abolished, in which case he is entitled to its value at the time of its abolition.
The questioner : The borrower sees that he is increasing it. Is there riba (usury or interest) in this?
The Shaykh : No. If he volunteers and gives him an increase, the best of people are those who are best in repaying debts.
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) borrowed a she-camel and returned a superior four-year-old camel, and he said:
The best of you are those who are best in repaying their debts.
خيركم أحسنكم قضاءThe questioner : In the name of Allah, and praise be to Allah, and may prayers and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.
The Shaykh : Let him come to the row here, the rows, here are the rows, even though our custom is for the first row, then the next.
The questioner : We are coming from the Eastern Province, O Shaykh. We have a question.
The Shaykh : And these people did not come from the Eastern Province... It will come to you, if Allah wills, now we will shorten the answer, and it will come to you, if Allah wills. Yes.
The questioner : O Shaykh, we have a request regarding you, O Shaykh. We request your visit...
The Shaykh : Ah, give it to the person after you. This is not a question. Yes, it is a question. Good.