Fatwa No : 82499
Ruling on items taken from people illegally

Ruling on items taken from people illegally

It is evident that human beings are prone to error, and many sins are committed by them. However, if a person sincerely repents, then Allah, the Lord of Majesty, forgives him.
My concern is that over the past 50 to 55 years, I have committed some such sins. For example, in financial dealings, I may have failed to fulfill someone’s right—sometimes knowingly and sometimes due to ignorance or forgetfulness. Now, I no longer remember those individuals, and this matter is troubling me greatly.
I don’t know how to make amends for this. Should I give charity from my property/wealth on their behalf, or is there any other way to seek forgiveness?

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

In spite of sincere efforts and thorough searching, if it is not possible to identify the people from whom something was taken through unlawful means — neither the individuals themselves nor their heirs are known, and there is no hope of ever meeting any of them in the future — then in such a case:
first and foremost, one must sincerely repent with genuine remorse for this sin and seek forgiveness from Allah.
Secondly, one must completely refrain from such unlawful actions in the future.
Thirdly, the total amount or value taken from these individuals should be given as charity on behalf of the rightful owners.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

ففي الفتاوى الهندية: والسبيل في المعاصي ردها وذلك هاهنا برد المأخوذ إن تمكن من رده بأن عرف صاحبه وبالتصدق به إن لم يعرفه ليصل إليه نفع ماله إن كان لا يصل إليه عين ماله اھ (5/ 349)۔