relinquishing this wealth and giving it in charity, by the same obligations as the deceased. Explaining the grounds for the differing opinions on the various aspects of this question would take considerable space. We have already addressed this subject and related matters in a separate discussion prepared for one of the seekers who requested it from me. Success comes only through Allah, Glorified is He.

Section
On Releasing Others from Claims Arising from Wrongs and Liabilities

Mālik was asked about Sa‘īd ibn al-Musayyab’s statement concerning his own practice that he would not release anyone from liability. He replied, “That depends on the circumstances.”

I said to him, “What about a man who lends another some gold, and the borrower then dies leaving nothing with which to repay it?”

He replied, “He should release him from the debt, for that is better in my view. Allah says:

‘Those who listen to what is said and follow the best of it.’ [al-Zumar: 18]

Not everything he said is to be followed, despite his merit.”

He was asked, “What about a man who wrongs another?”

He replied, “I do not favour releasing him. In my view, this differs from the first case. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, says:

‘The blame is only against those who wrong people and transgress in the land without right.’ [al-Shūrā: 42]

And He says:

‘There is no blame upon those who do good.’ [al-Tawbah: 91]

I therefore do not think that we should release someone who has committed a wrong.”

Some scholars, however, considered it better to release others from claims arising from wrongs and liabilities than to retain those claims.

The reasoning behind the first opinion is that, on the Day of Resurrection, the person entitled to such claims will recover them from the good deeds of those liable to him. This accords with the reports that people will exact retribution from one another on the Day of Resurrection through good and bad deeds. At that time, he will need the increase in his good deeds and the reduction in his sins that the claims he relinquished would have secured for him. He does not know whether his reward for relinquishing them will equal, exceed, or fall short of the good deeds to which those wrongs and liabilities entitle him. It is therefore in his interest not to relinquish them.

The reasoning behind the second opinion is that releasing someone from liability is a great kindness and a substantial favour to that person, for which one seeks recompense from Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and He