Q 4: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, A bankrupt person is a person who will come on the Day of Resurrection as he would have exhausted his funds of virtues, since he treated others unjustly and abused others... What is the ruling on someone who repents to Allah but is unable to return these rights to their owners because of his poverty?

A: The basic principle concerning the rights of people is that they are not pardoned by Tawbah alone, unless the usurped rights are restored to the right-holders or the latter willingly forgive the wrongdoer. When he performs sincere Tawbah and is unable to restore the rights of people because of his poverty or ignorance of the ruling on this matter, Allah accepts his Tawbah and pleases the right-holder on the Day of Resurrection with what He likes. Whenever it is possible in the worldly life for the oppressor to restore the rights or ask the right-holder's forgiveness, (Part No. 24; Page No. 317) he is obliged to do so, and his Tawbah is not acceptable unless he does so. Allah says, And all of you beg Allâh to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful and So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!