She doubts if she paid her friend the money she owes her
Fatwa No: 243844

Question

I am in doubt that I had not paid for some things that belong to a friend of mine which are currently in my possession. However, I am not sure if the sum of money I had paid her a few days afterward for other items compensated her for these which I am currently in doubt concerning. What should I do now as I cannot tell her that I did not pay her? Should I pay her the amount the next time I meet her using any excuse or method knowing that it is a trivial amount of money?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If what you meant by your question is that you bought something from your friend with a deferred payment and then you began to doubt whether or not you had paid her for it later on, then, in principle, you did not pay her. If someone is certain that he is obliged to do something and he doubts if he did it or not, then this certainty cannot be removed except with certainty. Therefore, you are obliged to pay her the amount which you have doubts about or ask her about it and if she tells you that you do not owe her anything, then you are acquitted from liability.

If you do not want to ask her and indirectly give her the amount without telling her the reason, then there is no harm in this as what is important is to give her back her right.

Allaah Knows best.

Related Fatwa