Refusing to pay others’ money on the pretext that one’s own money is with others

Question

Suppose a man was a trader and his business failed. People’s money is with him, and his money is with other people. When those creditors demand their debt, he says: “Other people have swallowed our money; we will not give you your money.” Is prayer valid behind one who destroys the rights of the servants (huquq al-‘ibad), when he has not even obtained their pardon?

Answer

A person who swallows others’ money and, despite having the means, does not return it, and when it is demanded says: “My money has been lost with outsiders, so I will not give you your money,” is a great sinner. Appointing him as imam is makruh tahrimi.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.