Is almsgiving sufficient to cover stolen goods and debts incurred from bounced checks and credit cards with insufficient funds, if the rightful owners cannot be identified or there is a fear of legal accountability, knowing that repentance has occurred and remorse is present?
You have done well by repenting, for Allah accepts repentance and rejoices in it. Sincere repentance (Tawbah Nasuh) involves abandoning sins, feeling remorse, resolving not to return to them, and seeking forgiveness. If the sin relates to the rights of others, then these rights must be returned to them or to their heirs. All the money must be returned if its amount is known. If it is not known, then what one predominantly believes was taken should be returned. If the items are fungible, their equivalent must be rendered. If they are non-fungible, their value must be returned. If one is unable to return them due to poverty, they must seek absolution from them. Otherwise, they may take from zakat to repay it. If they cannot reach them, they should give their money in charity on their behalf and later give them the choice between ratifying the charity or returning its value.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 90081
- Imported
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