Failing to Pay an Obligatory Due

Question

A man said, “Give me some money; I will not cheat you,” and he swore an oath on this, taking an oath. Then he said, “Well then, release the oath.” The other said, “I have released it.” Then he said, “Now I will give nothing.” What is the ruling on such a man?

Answer

Whoever is able to pay someone’s obligatory due and yet does not pay it is a wrongdoer (zalim) and a usurper (ghasib), and a grave sinner. Even if he had not sworn, paying was obligatory, and by the release of the oath he has not been absolved either.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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