The Obligation to Return Stolen Property to Its Owner
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
This is a letter that also came to us from a questioner who used the initials (F. S.) as a code for his name. He is of Yemeni nationality and resides in Riyadh. He says: I stole a motor from the company where I used to work, but I am now regretful of what I did. This incident happened two years ago, and it is difficult to return the motor from my country to here. Please advise me on what I should do. May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: You must return the motor to its owner, even if it costs you a great deal, or you must seek their forgiveness and give them its value. You must return the motor to the company or give it its value according to your ability. If they are satisfied with the value, you give them the value; otherwise, it is obligatory for you to return the motor itself, even if it costs you more than its value. You are the wrongdoer, so you must return it to its owner.
If returning it would result in harm or danger for you, then give it in charity. Determine its value and give it in charity on behalf of its owner. However, if you can return it to them without significant danger to you, then you must return it to them by whatever means possible, if you are able to do so. Even if you do not reveal your identity, you can return it and say, "A person brought this and says it belongs to the company," or you can send it with someone and say, "Give this to such-and-such company and tell them it is from a person who says it belongs to them," or similar methods by which you can deliver it to them. If you cannot do so without danger to yourself, then give it in charity on behalf of its owner, repent to Allah, seek Allah's forgiveness, and do not return to that sin.
The presenter: May Allah bless you. But the difficulty does not prevent it? The difficulty of returning it?
Answer: Yes, even if it requires effort, because he is the wrongdoer. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Answer: You must return the motor to its owner, even if it costs you a great deal, or you must seek their forgiveness and give them its value. You must return the motor to the company or give it its value according to your ability. If they are satisfied with the value, you give them the value; otherwise, it is obligatory for you to return the motor itself, even if it costs you more than its value. You are the wrongdoer, so you must return it to its owner.
If returning it would result in harm or danger for you, then give it in charity. Determine its value and give it in charity on behalf of its owner. However, if you can return it to them without significant danger to you, then you must return it to them by whatever means possible, if you are able to do so. Even if you do not reveal your identity, you can return it and say, "A person brought this and says it belongs to the company," or you can send it with someone and say, "Give this to such-and-such company and tell them it is from a person who says it belongs to them," or similar methods by which you can deliver it to them. If you cannot do so without danger to yourself, then give it in charity on behalf of its owner, repent to Allah, seek Allah's forgiveness, and do not return to that sin.
The presenter: May Allah bless you. But the difficulty does not prevent it? The difficulty of returning it?
Answer: Yes, even if it requires effort, because he is the wrongdoer. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.