How can a person who has repented to Allah, but possesses money he unlawfully took from its rightful owners whose whereabouts are unknown, dispose of this money to complete his repentance? Should he spend it on building a mosque, or give it to the poor and needy with the intention of it being an ongoing charity for its owners?
Taking people's money through deceit or trickery is forbidden and considered a grave sin, due to the Almighty's saying: "And do not consume your properties among yourselves through falsehood." Repentance from this sin involves four matters: remorse, abstaining from the sin, resolving never to return to it, and returning the rights to their owners. Or, if their owners cannot be identified, donating it to general charitable organizations for the poor, the needy, and the like.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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