What is obligatory upon one who took another person's money and does not know where it is?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
This is a letter from the questioner (A. A. A), an Egyptian national working in the Kingdom. He says: I was performing Hajj this year and fulfilled the obligation, praise be to Allah. However, on the last day of the days of stoning, I was standing near the place of stoning the pillars. I found a man next to me buying some items, and I was beside him at a beverage seller. I noticed money coming out of his pocket, so I took it after Satan tempted me to take it. When I took it, I put it in my pocket. Afterwards, I tried to return it to him at the same time, but I was afraid that he might do something inappropriate at that time. So I stood next to him and asked him, "Which country are you from?" He said, "I am Jordanian," and then he left me and went away. After that, I began to regret what I had done, this forbidden act. After he left me, I did not know where he was or where he was going, and I was unable to recognize his appearance. Then I returned to the accommodation and regretted what I had done with the utmost regret. This is the first time in my life that I have committed such a vile act. I want to return the amount to its owner. Is it permissible for me to give it in charity so that the reward returns to him, or what should I do with it? Especially since I do not know where he resides. Yes.
Answer:
This slip and mistake requires repentance to Allah, and regret, praise be to Allah.
You must give this amount in charity to some of the poor, with the intention that it is on behalf of its owner. You will be absolved, if Allah wills, along with the repentance. There is no doubt that it is a great slip and a serious error, but praise be to Allah, as long as Allah has granted you repentance, regret, and cessation, Allah accepts the repentance of those who repent . So you must have sincere repentance to Allah and the resolve not to return to such an act.
As for the money, you must give it in charity to some of the poor and those in need, with the intention that it is on behalf of its owner. This is sufficient, praise be to Allah, because you do not know him. We ask Allah for guidance for everyone. Yes.
This is a letter from the questioner (A. A. A), an Egyptian national working in the Kingdom. He says: I was performing Hajj this year and fulfilled the obligation, praise be to Allah. However, on the last day of the days of stoning, I was standing near the place of stoning the pillars. I found a man next to me buying some items, and I was beside him at a beverage seller. I noticed money coming out of his pocket, so I took it after Satan tempted me to take it. When I took it, I put it in my pocket. Afterwards, I tried to return it to him at the same time, but I was afraid that he might do something inappropriate at that time. So I stood next to him and asked him, "Which country are you from?" He said, "I am Jordanian," and then he left me and went away. After that, I began to regret what I had done, this forbidden act. After he left me, I did not know where he was or where he was going, and I was unable to recognize his appearance. Then I returned to the accommodation and regretted what I had done with the utmost regret. This is the first time in my life that I have committed such a vile act. I want to return the amount to its owner. Is it permissible for me to give it in charity so that the reward returns to him, or what should I do with it? Especially since I do not know where he resides. Yes.
Answer:
This slip and mistake requires repentance to Allah, and regret, praise be to Allah.
You must give this amount in charity to some of the poor, with the intention that it is on behalf of its owner. You will be absolved, if Allah wills, along with the repentance. There is no doubt that it is a great slip and a serious error, but praise be to Allah, as long as Allah has granted you repentance, regret, and cessation, Allah accepts the repentance of those who repent . So you must have sincere repentance to Allah and the resolve not to return to such an act.
As for the money, you must give it in charity to some of the poor and those in need, with the intention that it is on behalf of its owner. This is sufficient, praise be to Allah, because you do not know him. We ask Allah for guidance for everyone. Yes.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.