The Obligation of Returning People's Rights That Were Taken Along with Repentance

Question:
This is a listener from Jeddah who says: O Shaykh, I used to work with my grandfather in his store to help him, and I was no older than thirteen years old. Whenever he left the store, I would take some money without his knowledge. Should I return it to him now, considering that I am embarrassed to return it because I am shy to tell him that I used to take it in this way? This was ignorance on my part, as I was young at the time. What is required of me, O Shaykh?

Answer:
You must return it in the appropriate manner. Return it to his money without his knowledge, or say: "A person brought this to you, saying that you have a right against him, so he brought it." Do not say that it is from me. May Allah absolve you, return it to his money, whether he knows it or not, and do not attribute it to yourself. Do not say: "I took it." Say: "A person brought it, saying that you have dirhams with him, and he brought them." Yes.

The presenter: May Allah preserve you.