Stolen phone from non-Muslim coworker, sold it, feeling guilty. Is asking for forgiveness enough?

Answered by 

Shaykh Yaseen Shaikh

salaam wa alaykum

i am in a state of confusion. unfortunatly shaytaan tempted me to take a phone which did not belong to me, it belonging to a kafir from my workplace. after i took it i felt very bad but i cannot return it because i sold it. is it enough for me to ask for forgivness? please can you get back to me soon because i am very distressed.

jazakallah khair

Answer
Bismihi Ta’ala

It is very encouraging MashaAllah to see your regret after performing such an act. Rasoolullah Sallallahu alaihi wasallah says, ” A believer doesn’t steal in the state of Imaan”. This means that at that moment, Imaan leaves his body. This is very dangerous.

However, now that you regret your actions and wish to compensate for it, the following points must be adhered to:
1. Giving in charity the amount you gained from the sale of the stolen phone.
2. The same phone, or if not a brand new one, either the same model or something equivalent in value must be given to the person whom you stole off. He doesn’t have to be told, but you must leave it on his desk or somewhere he could access it, with a note so he is aware of why he is receiving the phone.

And Allah knows best.

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Mufti Yaseen Shaikh

Original Source Link

This answer was collected from MuftiSays.com, based in London (UK). It is one of the fruits of Darul Uloom London. Many ‘ulama are involved in answering the Q&A on the site, including: Shaikul Hadeeth Mufti Umar Farooq Sahib, Mufti Saifur Rahman Sahib, Mufti Abdullah Patel Sahib, Maulana Qamruz Zaman Sahib, Mufti Abu Bakr Karolia Sahib.

Tags: imaan, Yaseen

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