What is the ruling if one admits owing a hundred and immediately states, 'I have paid fifty of it'?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Acknowledgment of Rights
Primary text
The ruling in this case is the same as if one had stated, 'I paid it,' implying the full amount was settled. If a creditor states, 'I am owed one hundred by you,' and the debtor replies, 'I have paid you fifty of it,' Al-Qadi rules that nothing is admitted because the fifty mentioned as paid remains within the scope of the creditor's claim, and the remaining portion of the hundred was not explicitly addressed. The use of the word 'of it' (minhā) is ambiguous, possibly referring to what the creditor claims or what is actually owed, so no liability is established based on this ambiguous statement.
Supporting text
According to the narration that views the initial statement as admitting the debt while claiming payment, the debtor would be obligated for the fifty claimed to be paid because the very act of claiming payment implies an admission that the debt was initially due, and this admission cannot be accepted without supporting evidence.