His final question states: A person stole a simple need from another person during his ignorance and lack of knowledge of matters and their consequences. He stole something that is not counted, which may not be worth twenty riyals.
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The questioner : His final question states: A person stole a simple need from another person during his ignorance and lack of knowledge of matters and their consequences. He stole something that is not counted, which may not be worth twenty riyals, and this stolen item was lost. When the thief grew up, gained reason, and was guided, he regretted this act. He knows the owner, but he is shy to disclose the matter to him. What should he do? Should he give charity for its value after appraising it and knowing what it is worth, or what should he do? Rule for us, may Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : If he knows the owner, it is obligatory for him to seek his forgiveness by any means.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because this is the right of a specific protected person, so it must be delivered to him. As for shyness, a person should not be shy of a right, for shyness regarding a right is cowardice, timidity, and weakness of the soul.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for him to inform his owner. If the owner asks for compensation for what was stolen, he should give it to him. Or if he asks for its equivalent and it is possible to find an equivalent, he should buy him an equivalent. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I heard a few days ago from a respectable person who had taken a cheap item from another person during his youth.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So Allah brought them together unexpectedly, and he said to him, "I am asking you to forgive me for something I took from you in my youth," and he named the item he had taken.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So his companion laughed, laughed, and said, "This is something you are forgiven for." Perhaps our brother here will be like him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.
The Shaykh : If he knows the owner, it is obligatory for him to seek his forgiveness by any means.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Because this is the right of a specific protected person, so it must be delivered to him. As for shyness, a person should not be shy of a right, for shyness regarding a right is cowardice, timidity, and weakness of the soul.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for him to inform his owner. If the owner asks for compensation for what was stolen, he should give it to him. Or if he asks for its equivalent and it is possible to find an equivalent, he should buy him an equivalent. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. I heard a few days ago from a respectable person who had taken a cheap item from another person during his youth.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So Allah brought them together unexpectedly, and he said to him, "I am asking you to forgive me for something I took from you in my youth," and he named the item he had taken.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : So his companion laughed, laughed, and said, "This is something you are forgiven for." Perhaps our brother here will be like him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you.