Return the money you borrowed to its owner

399

Q: I married a woman and we now have a child. When I faced financial difficulties, I took her jewelry with her consent and free will without any compulsion. I sold it intending to buy her jewelry later. My wife died before purchasing the jewelry. Now: 1) Shall I purchase jewelry with the same value of the gold I sold and give it to her parents, or is this gold regarded as the inheritance of our son? 2) I owe her twenty thousand riyals, the deferred portion of her Mahr (mandatory gift to a bride from her groom). Am I obliged to pay this amount to her parents or not?

A: The value of the gold you took and the remaining amount of her Mahr in addition to anything else of her property are a part of her inheritance that is to be divided among the heirs according to Shari`ah, after issuing the deed of heirs that includes you. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!