Is my silence about informing the merchants about their money, at the request of the company owner, considered unlawful (haram)?
The accountant who made an error in calculation and realized that some customers were wronged and are still owed money must correct the error and return their rights to them. He is responsible for this, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "On the hand is what it took until it returns it." It is not sufficient for him to inform the company owner if he can inform the customers themselves. It is not permissible to obey the company owner if he asks to conceal the matter, for Allah Almighty said: "And do not cooperate in sin and aggression." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, also narrated: "Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, by the displeasure of people, Allah will be pleased with him and will make the people pleased with him. And whoever seeks the pleasure of people by the displeasure of Allah, Allah will be displeased with him and will make the people displeased with him." And "Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith." And "Indeed, if people see an evil and do not change it, Allah is about to send His punishment upon them all." And "By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, you must enjoin good and forbid evil, or Allah will soon send upon you a punishment from Him, then you will supplicate, but your supplication will not be answered." Therefore, the accountant must correct the error and return the excess to its rightful owners, and not remain silent or cooperate with the company owner in that.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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