Should I Accept My Charity Money Back?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

I gave a loan to someone with the intention that I’ll wait for them to return at their own ease, and if cannot, I’ll forgo it.

Now, I was in need and once asked for the money lent. It took them some time to arrange it, so I realized they didn’t have it on hand. So, I mentioned to Allah that I forgive this loan.

But now my friend insists on returning the loan back even though I told her I forgave it. Should I accept that loan money?

Answer

I pray you are well.

Accepting the Loan is Permissible

Alhamdulillah. It is a blessing that your friend is insisting on paying it back; many people have the opposite problem.

When you decided to forgo the loan, it was an act of charity. Allah said, “If you waive the loan and charity, it is better for you.” [Quran, 2:280] Giving it a charity is rewarded immensely as it eases the burden on the borrower.

Some people do not like feeling they have an obligation to another. Perhaps this is why your friend is insisting on returning it. You can accept the money, and you will have the reward of your intention. You can also take it and give it away in charity again. The choice is yours.

Perhaps giving it away in charity will be superior, as you’ll gain the reward of your initial intention and of this charity. Allah knows best.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008, he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital, and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.