If a servant repents from a sin that involves the right of another, and fulfills all conditions of repentance except seeking forgiveness from the owner of the right or fulfilling his right, does the right of Allah Almighty cease, leaving only the right of the person? Will the servant be held accountable on the Day of Judgment only for the right of the wronged person, such that his liability is completely absolved if the wronged person forgives him?

Scholars have differed regarding whether returning a right to its owner is a condition for the validity of repentance or an independent obligation. Those who say it is an independent obligation assert that repentance absolves one of Allah’s right, and one will be held accountable for the human right. As for those who say it is a condition, Allah’s right is not absolved until the right is fulfilled. Some scholars have held that if the sin pertains to the right of Allah Almighty, remorse may suffice, or it may require an additional action. However, if it relates to the rights of people, then, along with remorse and resolve, it is necessary to return the right or its equivalent, or to guide the person, or to apologize. Imam al-Haramayn affirmed that returning a right is another obligation, separate from repentance. Both repentance and returning a right are immediate obligations. Many scholars are of the view that returning a right is a condition for the validity of repentance.