The Importance of Returning Rights to Their Owners

A listener named Muhammad Abdullah al-Sab'i sent a message to the program, in which he said:
Peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy and blessings. After that: I requested workers from abroad. When I went to their country, I needed a sum of money and took from them the equivalent of two thousand five hundred riyals. When they arrived at my place, that is, in my country here in Saudi Arabia, I found that they knew nothing about the profession. So I told them: Work on a trial basis for three months. But they refused. I tried with them several times, but they refused. So I sent them back to their country and did not give them their rights except a little, knowing that I lost on them an amount equivalent to what I took from them. I am ready to give them their rights, but I do not know their address. I ask you to inform me what I should do. May Allah reward you.
Answer: This is a matter of dispute that requires the attention of a judge so that he may know your claim against them and so that he may know their response. However, if you pay them the rights you agreed upon with them, out of caution, that is good. You should send their rights to the office where the contract was made, and send them the loan you took from them. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he does not wrong him, nor does he abandon him, nor does he belittle him, nor does he transgress against him, nor does he betray him. So either you dispute with them legally before the judge, in the court, so that you know what is yours and what is upon you, and give them their rights with certainty, or you allow for the payment of their rights to them and send them to them. What is with Allah is better and more lasting. And send them also the loan you took from them. This is better for you in this world and the Hereafter. And be glad of replacement, good, and a good outcome, if Allah wills. Yes.