The ruling on one who swore not to return the rights of others and then repented
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Question:
My father swore regarding the rights of others, including palm trees, land, and other things. Now, some of the owners of these rights have passed away, some have heirs, some are still alive, and about others, nothing is known. He is now deeply regretful and has repented. What is the way out for my father from these oaths and their consequences, given that he fears that if the owners of these rights, or their heirs, learn of it, it will lead to many problems and harms?
Answer:
It is obligatory for him to return the rights to their owners. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:.
He must give them the rights he denied and swore about, and he must repent to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and say: "My brothers, I made a mistake, and I have repented to Allah. Take your rights if they are present. As for the one who died, give it to his heirs. As for the one who is absent, inquire about him. As for the one who is not known, give it in charity on his behalf if he is not known, to the poor and those in need. As for him remaining silent about it, no.
My father swore regarding the rights of others, including palm trees, land, and other things. Now, some of the owners of these rights have passed away, some have heirs, some are still alive, and about others, nothing is known. He is now deeply regretful and has repented. What is the way out for my father from these oaths and their consequences, given that he fears that if the owners of these rights, or their heirs, learn of it, it will lead to many problems and harms?
Answer:
It is obligatory for him to return the rights to their owners. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whoever has an injustice against his brother, let him seek his forgiveness today before there is no dinar or dirham. If he has good deeds, they will be taken from his good deeds according to the extent of his injustice. If he has no good deeds, they will be taken from their bad deeds and placed upon him.
من كانت عنده مظلمة لأخيه فليتحلله اليوم قبل أن لا يكون دينار ولا درهم، إن كانت له حسنات أخذ من حسناته بقدر مظلمته، فإن لم يكن له حسنات أخذ من سيئاتهم فحمل عليهHe must give them the rights he denied and swore about, and he must repent to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) and say: "My brothers, I made a mistake, and I have repented to Allah. Take your rights if they are present. As for the one who died, give it to his heirs. As for the one who is absent, inquire about him. As for the one who is not known, give it in charity on his behalf if he is not known, to the poor and those in need. As for him remaining silent about it, no.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.