What should a young man do who took money from his maternal uncle's trust when he was little, then repented and wants to return the money, but fears telling his mother and fears that the money is illicit? Should he confront his maternal uncle about the matter and return the money, and should he tell his mother? And what should he do if the money is illicit or belongs to others?

Taking a Muslim's money is forbidden unless it is with their full consent, based on Allah's saying: "O you who have believed, do not consume one another's property unlawfully but only [in lawful] trade by mutual consent," and the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Every Muslim's blood, property, and honor are sacred to another Muslim." The money taken unlawfully must be returned, whether it was taken before or after puberty, because liability for others' property does not require legal capacity. You must return the money to your maternal uncle. If the taking was after puberty, you must also repent. Doubt about the source of your maternal uncle's money does not affect the obligation to return it, as the money belongs to him unless there is evidence to the contrary, because possession and disposal are proof of ownership. If you have evidence that the money is from your grandfather's inheritance before its division, you should present it to the Sharia court. Do not tell your mother about this matter; conceal your secret, return the money to your maternal uncle, and seek his forgiveness.