Unsettled debts

Q: I have a couple of debts I have to pay back. One is a non-interest loan via a friend. One is a previous student loan where the interest is extremely small. I took this loan out some years back when I didn’t know anything about riba. If I can get a loan (non-interest) from somewhere, is it permissible for me to invest this loan in something halaal in order to make money for myself so that I can pay off my debts first, before I get a job? For example, I am able to get a loan and invest in some business which would eventually provide some return. Assuming I still don’t have a job. Or, if I can get myself a job, although I have these debts, would I be able to save up and invest first before paying the debts off? Or can I save up and invest, while taking some of my savings and putting that towards the debts at the same time? What is the best course to follow and what out of the above us permissible? What way round is allowed?

Q: A person has been attending a madressa. At the madressa there is a tuck shop which allows the students to take things on credit. As a student many things were bought on credit and paid later. A few years later the student has doubts in their mind as to whether they have paid their accounts accordingly. What can the person do besides asking Allah for forgiveness?

Q: My husband has recently handed his unpaid accounts owing to him, over to a debt collector. Recently he has found out that the debt collectors are frauds, they don't exist. I know his debtors haven't as yet settled their accounts with him, should he inform them of these bogus collectors.

Q: My father had been for Hajj over 10 years ago. At the time he had a very close friend who he had owed some money to. Before going for hajj, he went to his friend to pay off whatever money he owed him but his friend refused, saying go and enjoy your hajj, and being friends, he kept saying don't worry bout all of that now. So my dad went for his hajj, when he got back, a short time later, his friend past away in a car accident. My father is now older and is not working anymore due to his health , but because his friend never directly say don't pay me, its been worrying my father and so he decided to save up the money that he would have had to pay his friend and give it to his friend's son, who has no knowledge of this. After many months of saving, as he is now unemployed, he managed to save the money and was going to get the money sent to the son via a mutual friend within the week. Then within the weekend his house was burgled and the safe was stolen with the money in it. Does my father still have to save again and pay the money?

Q: I have saved up enough money to make Hajj become fardh on me however, I still have a substanial balance left on the car which I drive. What comes first, do I pay the car off or do I make intention and effort to go for hajj?

Q: A loan of 100 000 was given to someone. Sometime thereafter, the government devalued the currency by 50%. What amount should the debtor repay?

Q: A brother uses his cellphone as a modem. Unfortunately he contracted a virus. The effect of this was that as soon as he put on his phone the counter was just running. The result was that his account which normally comes to about R250.00 came to R5500.00. After investigating it was found that this was caused by the virus.

The service provider says that it is not their problem and they want the account to be settled. Will it be permissible for the brother to pay this account using interest money?

Q: A few years back, I owed money to a company. A family member who was owing me money undertook to pay it on my behalf in lieu of what he owed me. I have recently found out that this money was never paid by him. On contacting the business, they told me that it has been bought over by another company, but the person I spoke to was unsure whether the company had taken over the debtor’s book of the company and was of the opinion that they had only bought out the stock holding. I have sent them numerous e-mails trying to establish if this was the case, and if so, requested that they provide me with the details of the previous owners so that I may repay this amount. To date, I have had no correspondence from them and find myself in a predicament of not knowing where I stand. What should I do in this situation?

Q: I have a question regarding debt. In the UK universities are now charging £9000 per year or so to cover the costs. If i take a student loan which is wiped off after 30 years, what would happen if i die and havent paid it all back? Also i want to ask the same question regarding a house mortgage?