What is the ruling on secretly taking a gift (a statue of a Pharaonic animal) that I had given to a Christian colleague from his office, without his knowledge, in order to cut off sin, knowing that he may not understand the matter if I were to approach him about it?

It is forbidden to acquire statues, and they must be destroyed, as Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Do not leave a statue but that you efface it, nor an elevated grave but that you level it, nor a picture but that you obliterate it." If you can destroy them without harm, then do so, and there is no liability upon you. It is not necessary to break the statues into a complete destruction, but rather disassemble them so they can be reassembled as they were before their composition. If you are unable to do that, then destroy them in any way possible. There is no liability for one who destroys alcohol or pork belonging to a dhimmi. There is no harm in destroying this statue without the owner's knowledge, unless doing so would cause a greater harm. You should strive to invite your colleagues to Islam with wisdom and good counsel. If you cannot do that, then gift them books that clarify the reality of Islam.