What is the ruling when a lender demands the return of a loaned item (requiring carriage/expense) in a location different from where it was loaned?
Chapter on Loan (Qard)
Al-Mughni
Book of Sales
Primary text
If a lender demands the return of an item requiring expense (*mu'nah*) for transport in a location other than where the loan was executed, the borrower is not obligated to transport it there. However, if the lender demands the monetary value (*qimah*) of the item, the borrower is obligated to pay it, because there is no expense associated with delivering the value.
Supporting text
If the borrower voluntarily offers to return the identical item in the place of loan, and the lender refuses to accept it, the lender has the right to refuse because accepting it might cause him harm, potentially requiring him to transport it to the original place of lending. In this scenario, the lender may demand the item's value at the place where the loan was made, as that is the location where delivery was due.