Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
What happens if you are the one that someone did wrong to, and you know about it but the person won’t repay you? For example, someone stole something of mine and won’t give it back. It is really petty, because the item is of no value to them and extremely necessary for me (it is something I use to keep my hijab fixed in place). What steps can be taken, if any, with respect to that person. I have pleaded with them, pretending that I’m the one who lost it and “if they found it, could they return it,” but they keep lying about it and won’t give it back. I can’t really take revenge on them… I mean, what am I supposed to do, steal something of theirs? I can’t replace what I lost anyway, so revenge has no value.
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
It is best to forgive the person and forget the wrong, for the sake of Allah, seeking its reward with Him.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) was asked, ‘Which actions are best?’ He replied, “Belief in Allah, and attesting to it, and struggling (jihad) in the Way of Allah.”
The questioner responded, ‘I want something more manageable.’ The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) responded, “Being easy-going and patient….” [Ahmad]
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani