Is Saying “My Money Is for So-and-So” a Binding Admission (Iqrar)?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Does iqrar (acknowledgment) occur by a person saying that his money is “for so-and-so”? (Hanafi)

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Simply saying, “My money is for so-and-so,” does not, on its own, transfer ownership. What matters is what the person intended by these words. The phrase itself is not enough to decide the matter.

Acknowledgment (iqrar) is the admission of a right that already exists against oneself — not the creation of a new one. A person is held to his acknowledgment. [Majallat al-Ahkam al-Adliyya, art. 79]

So if the man means that the money already belongs to that person, or is already owed to him, his words bind him as an admission of that prior right. That is the one reading on which the sentence binds him on its own.

If he means to give the money now, this is considered a gift (hiba), which is a separate matter. In the Hanafi school, a gift is only completed when the recipient takes possession of it. Simply saying you wish to give is not enough.

Until the person receives the money, the giver can change his mind, and if either person passes away before possession, the gift does not take effect.

If he intends for the money to go to someone after his death, this is a bequest (wasiyya).

A bequest only takes effect after death, can only be up to a third of the estate for someone who is not an heir, and can be changed at any time during life.

So, the same words can mean different things depending on intention and situation. It is important not to treat such a phrase as a ruling by itself, but rather as a reason to seek clarity and ask further.

Take a Real Case to a Qualified Scholar with the Specifics

If this relates to a real situation, such as an estate, a dispute, or money set aside for someone, bring the exact words, the context, and your intention to a reliable scholar or trustworthy mufti.

The principles above help frame the issue, but the specific details are what decide the ruling.

And Allah knows best.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers

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Clarifies the limits of bequests in Islamic inheritance law and how much of one’s estate may be allocated by will.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” published by White Thread Press in 2004, which is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.