He Made Inquiries About Him, But He Did Not Find Him

Question :

I used to work in Jordan before the year 1950 C.E. and I went on vacation to the Kingdom and purchased a wool cloak from my colleague, whose name was 'Ubaid Al-Mutairi for the sum of fifteen Jordanian Dinars, on the understanding that I would pay him this sum after I return from my vacation. So I left, and when I returned from my vacation, I did not find my colleague from whom I had purchased the cloak. I asked about him and was told that he had gone on holiday to Kuwait, but he did not return. After that, I left my job in Jordan and returned to the Kingdom, having left my address with my other colleagues there, so that they might inform him if he should return, but he has not contacted me, nor requested his right since that time, and I do not know anything about him whatsoever, so what should I do when I am indebted to this man for the sum of fifteen Jordanian Dinars?

Answer:

The answer is that you must ask those who know him and exert all your efforts until you find his address and then send him the sum of money which is in your possession, or travel to him in Kuwait in order to give him his right, based on the saying of the Prophet:
"All of the Muslim is sacred to the Muslim; his blood, his property and his honor."

It is not permissible for you to be negligent in this matter. If you fail and are unable to find him in Kuwait or anywhere else, then give charity on his behalf in trust for him. Then if you find him, give him the choice between receiving his right - in which case, the reward of the charity will be for you or his giving the money in charity in which case, the reward will be for him, according to the Words of Allah, Most High:
"So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can."
and the Words of Him, the Almighty, the All-Powerful:
"Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope."

Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 5 Pages 27-28-29