Question

Asallam Alaikum,

I want to know in regards to stolen money. I was a young teenager around 19-20 years old. I was in bad company with few people and we were just being foolish trying to break lockers from school. Unfortunately, 1 Locker had opened up and there was cash and electronic items left inside. The other person I was with took the cash and threw out the electronic items. The other individual also gave me from the stolen money which was later on spend.

I have realized the wrong and being foolish when young. I want to know what I can do in regards to the cash which was taken and shared and the electronic item which was thrown out. Am I responsible only for the amount I had taken or the whole amount.

This incident has been many years ago and I cannot locate the person or know anything about whose locker it was.

Please advise as I wait for your response.

Thank You

Answer

If you can locate the person from who you took the items, it is essential to return the stolen items to them. If the items cannot be returned then its equivalent value in cash must be returned. However, if you cannot locate the person, you should donate an amount equal to what you took, to charity on their behalf and sincerely repent to Allah the Almighty. This charitable donation should be considered a form of wealth disposal.

Answered by:
Ifta Research Fellow

Checked & Approved by:
Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Mufti Zubair Patel