Is it permissible to give charity in Ramadan while one is in debt, or is paying off the debt more deserving, and what about a long-forgotten debt that has not been claimed and its owner cannot recall it?

Paying off debt is obligatory, while voluntary charity is supererogatory. The obligatory takes precedence over the supererogatory. However, if the creditors permit delaying repayment or if the debt is deferred, then one may give charity. The debt must be recorded to avoid forgetting it, as it is among the most emphasized rights. The creditors should be asked about its amount, and if they have forgotten it, then they should be appeased with what they agree upon.