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یہ صفحہ اردو میں بھی موجود ہے۔ زبان کی تبدیلی کے لیے نیچے بٹن دبائیں۔
Question:
I took a friend’s journal and did not return it; many days passed, and I wondered what they would think of me. Similarly, I took a watercolor single piece and a small scanner from a friend without returning them. I took an item worth 50 rupees from an aunt and did not pay her; when I remembered, a long time had passed, and out of shame that she might tell everyone that I didn’t pay her, I ordered bangles from a shopkeeper and didn’t pay him either—500 rupees. How should I return it now? I felt embarrassed; it’s a matter of honor. I took a necklace from my cousin, did not return it, and it got lost; I gave its value in charity today. I had a pony belonging to my aunt; I took it to school, and the teacher took it. I remembered this after many years; telling them feels awkward, wondering what they will think of me—that I consume things. I stole a book from the book fair. I don’t know which seller’s book it was; I neither knew nor remembered. So I have given these amounts in charity in the names of all these people, asking Allah to send the reward to them. And all these are matters from childhood when I had no intellect or awareness; all this happened out of ignorance without knowing the consequences, not intentionally. I stole, but I repented to Allah, and I am confident Allah has forgiven me because He gave me the opportunity to correct my mistake. Is it correct, according to Sharia, to have given all this money in charity in their names?
Answer:
بِاسْمِ اللہِ سُبْحَانَہٗ وَتَعَالٰی، الَّذِیْ عَلَّمَ الْإِنْسَانَ مَعَالِمَ الدِّیْنِ، وَأَنْعَمَ عَلَیْہِ بِحَقَائِقِ الشَّرِیْعَةِ وَالتَّمْکِیْنِ
You took some items without permission in childhood, borrowed some and did not return them, and did not pay some amounts. Now that you remembered, you have given charity in the names of all these people. You want to know if this is correct according to Sharia.
Basic Principle: Fulfilling the Rights of People (Huquq al-‘Ibad)
According to Sharia, taking someone else’s property without permission or failing to return a loan falls under the rights of people. To fulfill these rights, it is necessary to return the right to the original owner or seek forgiveness from them. If the owner’s whereabouts are unknown or it is impossible to reach them, giving charity on their behalf is permissible.
Analysis of Your Cases
1. Friend’s journal, watercolor, and scanner
You took these items without permission and did not return them. If these items still exist, it is necessary to return them. If they are no longer available, their value must be paid. If contacting the friend is not possible, give charity on their behalf an amount that reasonably compensates for their right. If it is difficult due to shame, it is not necessary to tell them when giving the money; you can give it as a gift or present.
2. Item worth 50 rupees from aunt and bangles from shopkeeper
These were loans that were not repaid. If possible, return the money to these people now. If it is difficult due to shame, you can send it through someone else. If their whereabouts are unknown, give charity on their behalf.
3. Cousin’s necklace that got lost
This was a trust that was lost. It is necessary to pay its value. If possible, contact your cousin, inform them, and apologize; otherwise, give charity on their behalf.
4. Aunt’s pony taken by the teacher
This was also a trust that was lost due to you. If possible, inform your aunt and apologize, or give her the money as a gift under some pretext. Otherwise, give charity on her behalf.
5. Stolen book from the book fair
This was theft. If the seller’s whereabouts are unknown, giving charity on their behalf is correct.
Is Giving Charity Sufficient?
You have given charity in their names; this is valid if you are genuinely unable to reach them. However, if reaching them is possible, charity is not sufficient; it is necessary to return the actual amount or item. Shame or honor is not an excuse in this matter for forgiveness.
Repentance and Allah’s Forgiveness
You have repented; this is very good. Allah accepts repentance, but repentance is not complete without fulfilling the rights of people. Therefore, as much as possible, seek forgiveness from those people and return their rights. If it is truly impossible, giving charity is permissible.
Summary
- If possible, seek forgiveness from each person and return their right.
- If impossible, giving charity on their behalf is correct.
- What you have given in charity will, insha’Allah, be accepted, and you will receive its reward, but the Sharia method is to directly repay wherever possible, whether with or without informing. However, if there is no contact and it is unknown where the person entitled is, then give charity on their behalf and also repent and seek forgiveness from Allah.
References
- Quran: إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا (An-Nisa: 58)
- Hadith: عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ كَانَتْ لَهُ مَظْلَمَةٌ لِأَخِيهِ مِنْ عِرْضِهِ أَوْ شَيْءٍ فَلْيَتَحَلَّلْهُ مِنْهُ الْيَوْمَ قَبْلَ أَنْ لَا يَكُونَ دِينَارٌ وَلَا دِرْهَمٌ (Sahih Bukhari)
- فتاویٰ ہندیہ: Book of Kafalah, Chapter on Suretyship
وَاللہُ بِالصَّوَابِ أَعْلَمُ، وَعِلْمُہُ أَصْوَبُ وَأَتَمُّ
