Hasten to repay

Q: In 1980, I was in need and my wife loaned me 20 grams of gold which I sold, and I traveled to Lebanon to work there. When I came back from Lebanon, I bought a cow. Before traveling to Baghdad to work I sold the cow for 360 L.E. Upon my return from Baghdad I bought a buffalo and then sold it to purchase a piece of land, which I then sold for 750 L.E. Now, my wife is asking me to repay the loan of gold. Shall I purchase the same weight of gold in spite of the rise of gold prices or give her its value in money? Please answer me, may Allah reward you.

A: You are obliged to pay the amount of gold back to your wife. The gold you took counts as a loan, and therefore it is to be paid for in gold with equal weight. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!