I had a trust in my possession, which was a sum of money belonging to a certain person, and due to my urgent need for it, I disposed of it and squandered it in my personal use, and I said

The questioner : O honorable Shaykh, I had a trust in my possession, which was a sum of money belonging to a certain person, and due to my urgent need for it, I disposed of it and squandered it in my personal use, and I told its owner: that it was lost. But now I want to return this amount after a long period without this person knowing. What should I do? May you be rewarded. Should I give it in charity, or what should I do?

The Shaykh : Yes. First, your disposal of it without the permission of its owner is forbidden for you, and you are sinful for that, not fulfilling the trust. And Allah the Exalted said: So you must repent to Allah, and your repentance will not be accepted until you return the money to its owner. So you must return it to him, apologize to him, and seek his satisfaction. There is no escape for you from this except by doing so, even if you give it in charity or give it to him without his knowledge, that is not sufficient. It is necessary that you inform him and say to him: O so-and-so! I once had a need, and based on the trust between you and me, I borrowed the money, and my need led me to lie to you and say: that it was lost. So now I ask you for forgiveness, and this is your money. And I hope your owner will forgive you and accept your apology, because in this there is a reward and recompense with Allah the Exalted. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you and bless you. This questioner, Ali, says in this question of his.