What should one do if he takes a book from a place where he does not know the owner?

Question:
Our brother Sa'd Waham from Iraq asks: I have a friend who, on one day, gave me a religious book, but he says that he took this book from a place where he does not know the owner. Should I pay the price of this book to one of the poor, since I did not buy it and consider it usurped? Or how should I deal with it? May Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
It is obligatory for you to return it to its owner, and he should return it to the place from which he took it. It is obligatory for you to return it to the one who gave you the book, and tell him: It is obligatory for him to return it to its place, and it is not permissible for him to take a book without right, unless its owner permits it, or he pays its price, in which case there is no harm. If that is not feasible for you, such that you do not find the man to give him the book, there is no objection to giving its value in charity, or placing it in a public library where people can benefit from it, along with repentance and seeking forgiveness for taking it, for your taking it from this person who told you that he took it without right. And Allah is the Helper. Yes.

The presenter: And Allah is the Helper, may Allah reward you with good.