What is the ruling on stealing goods from a representative to compensate for a shortage in inventory, and is it permissible to return their value in cash after leaving the job?
The fundamental principle is that an accused person is innocent until proven guilty by clear evidence. The accusation made by the warehouse owner against the representative concerning the theft of his goods is baseless, and his action constitutes an assault on the representative's honor. The act committed by the questioner, taking the goods from the representative without his knowledge, is considered theft and betrayal. His repentance is not complete unless he returns the stolen item if it still exists, or a similar item if it has been consumed, or its value if it has been damaged. The questioner has only two options: either to seek forgiveness from the rightful owner, or to return his right to him. There is no harm in returning the value if they both agree to it. He is permitted to seek reimbursement from the warehouse owner for what he paid to the representative. It is not permissible to give the price as charity unless it is impossible to reach the rightful owner.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 114173
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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