a debt for which he remains personally liable. Scholars agree that his debts may not be settled using specific items belonging to other people. Anyone who produces evidence that a particular item is his own property may take it. If no one produces evidence, and the man is afraid and knows that what he is weaving belongs not to him but to other people, his debts must not be paid from that property. Nor may he be given some of the yarn merely on his claim, to the exclusion of others; rather, the creditors must be treated equitably.

If someone produces one witness and supports that witness’s testimony with his own oath, judgment is given in his favour. If the only means of identifying each person’s property consists of distinguishing marks, such as each person’s name on his belongings, those marks are to be relied upon. If none of these means is available, lots are drawn among the claimants. Whoever draws the lot for a particular item takes it after swearing an oath. The drawing of lots in such cases is established in an authentic report from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

About a man who owes a debt but cannot repay it, and who has been shown to have put whatever funds he has obtained towards repayment. His father is wealthy but has paid nothing on his behalf, and now wishes to take him along on Hajj. Will this discharge his obligatory Hajj, in view of