Is it permissible to donate stolen money with the intention of returning the reward to its owner, instead of directly returning the stolen money to him, knowing that the thief has repented and is ashamed to face the one from whom it was stolen?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Repentance from theft and similar acts requires restoring the usurped rights to their owners, or seeking their forgiveness. It is not a condition to inform them when returning the money; rather, it suffices to deliver it by any means. Donating the rights as charity on behalf of their owners is permissible only when it is impossible to reach them. However, if it is possible to reach them, then donating it as charity on their behalf is not sufficient; rather, it is obligatory to deliver it to them.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/133586
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 133586
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy