How can one atone for stealing money in childhood, given that the exact amount is unknown and the owner cannot be informed? Is continuous charity and sincere repentance sufficient for this?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Repentance from theft is not complete except by returning the stolen amount to its owners, provided the thief is capable of doing so. If the exact amount is unknown, the thief must estimate it with due diligence, ensuring the amount returned is likely to cover the stolen sum or even exceed it. It is not a condition to inform the owner of the theft; rather, it is sufficient to restore the right to them by any means.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/174109
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 174109
- 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