What is the ruling on accumulated debts for a person who has recently embraced Islam, and what are the consequences of not paying them, especially if some of the creditors are non-Muslims and some are Muslims?
A loan must be repaid to a Muslim or a non-hostile disbeliever, based on the Prophet's sayings: "The reward for a loan is repayment and praise," and "On the hand is what it took until it returns it." If the owners of the debts or their heirs are known, then the debts must be returned to them. If they are not known, then an amount equivalent to the share of the Muslims must be given in charity with the intention that the reward reaches them.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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