If a man sees someone stealing a Muslim's wealth, should he cover it up or is it obligatory for him to expose him?

Question : That is, the wrongdoer encroached on a person's wealth and took it; let us say he took a sheep for the guests, okay, agreed? Then another man witnessed the wrongdoer's action. Is it permissible for him to inform the owner of the sheep about it, or not? He must inform him.

Answer : He must inform him about it, because this is part of protecting the Muslim's wealth. No, no mistake; that is, he says, "Cover it up, may Allah cover it up." Yes, if he sees that it is in the interest to say to this one who encroached, "So-and-so, I have learned that you took so-and-so's sheep, so you must return it to him, or I will expose you," then in this case we may say that he goes to him. But I prefer that, if this person is known for wrongdoing, that the matter be referred to the authorities, for perhaps there are other things besides this.