-
Repentance For Theft
It is known that stolen goods need to be returned along with sincere repentance to achieve Tawbah. However, what about a more complex scenario: someone stole something years ago, mixed the money with their own funds and invested in a business that has now grown over 20 years.
When returning the stolen money, after realization and sincere repenting, how should the individual decide the amount to return? Is it the principal? Or do you give them all the profits from the business as well? What about the efforts you exerted, your personal wealth – at this point it is impossible to distinguish the contribution %…? Giving all the profits or transferring the business to the victim is another option one could consider, but this would leave the thief suddenly without any income.
More generally, when returning Huqooq to people, do you compensate for the principal, or the missed opportunity cost as well?
-
3 Replies
-
Repentance For Theft
updated 2 years, 9 months ago
2 Members
·
3
Replies
-
The key thing to understand is that if someone has knowingly committed theft then on the Day of Judgement his fate will lie in the hands of the victim or the victims. Whatever good deeds they choose to take away from him, or whatever bad deeds of their own they choose to give to him, that person will have to comply. On the same principle, if a person wants to sincerely repent in this world, he should ask the victims what will it take for them to forgive him.
-
I understand that, but what if we are unable to satisfy that person, despite our best efforts. We repent, try to make amends but ultimately die in a state where we know we have not been forgiven. For example, the person might demand the whole business – despite the fact that it will take away the owner’s livelihood. The owner offers the principal + half of what was made in profits.
If the victim decides what is “reasonable”, doesn’t this open the doors to injustice towards the others extreme? The owner gives up all his property, wealth and his family is on the streets. What if after all that, the initial victim is still unhappy? How can someone achieve peace in their life, despite knowing they have this unresolved matter?
-
There’s no such thing as injustice when it comes to punishment of a crime.
If one is unable to satisfy his victim in this world despite their best effort then they should sincerely keep on repenting to God and hope that He will have mercy on them when their case is presented in front of Him on the Day of Judgement.
I would like to refer you to this excellent response by Ghamidi sahab in this regard that was recently shared with you in a separate discussion:
Sponsor Ask Ghamidi
