What should I do about financial dues that I have not rendered to their owners in different situations, including a slight shortage in money as payment for the price of food, and another where I do not remember the exact amount and it happened a long time ago? And what about university tools that I broke by mistake or took inadvertently, and I do not know to whom they belong or where I returned them?
Firstly: You must seek forgiveness from your colleagues or return their rights to them, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The hand is responsible for what it takes until it returns it," and "It is not permissible to take a person's property except with their willing consent."
Secondly: Borrowed tools: - If they were damaged due to misuse or negligence by the borrower, then their replacement is guaranteed by agreement. - If they were damaged without misuse or negligence, then there is a dispute regarding their guarantee. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis held that if they were damaged through authorized use, they are not guaranteed. - If the tools were damaged due to the work for which they were borrowed, without misuse, then you are not liable for their guarantee. - If they were damaged due to their use for something other than what they were borrowed for, then you are obliged to guarantee them with an equivalent item or their value on the day of damage.
Thirdly: Remaining tools: - If they belong to the laboratory, they should be returned to it. - If they are owned by individuals, you must search for their owners to return them. If it is impossible to reach them, then it is permissible to give them away in charity on their behalf while guaranteeing them. If their owners appear later, they are given the choice between approving the charity given on their behalf or having their right returned to them.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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