Q: This incident happened 10 years back.
I worked for an American company in UAE. While travelling in UAE, I billed the company for my travel expenses (as per the company policy) the bill was for 20,000 Dirhams but they transferred USD 20,000 in my account. I contacted the finance person and asked him to send the correct amount and withdraw the wrong amount. He did that, however, few days later, another USD 20,000 was deposited in my account. I contacted the bank this time but they told me it’s the correct amount as per the transfer. So I didn’t do anything for 5 years. Few years back (feeling uneasy) I contacted the company again to see if they wanted their money back but I didn’t get a response. What should I do since I have already used this money? I have been giving out sadaqah with the intention of paying back this amount. Is this correct?
A: Write a letter to them that it seems that the company wishes to give you this as a gift and you accepted this and you hope they will acknowledge this. You may also include that if they don’t reply within a certain frame of time it will be treated as if they have acknowledged.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)